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HISTORY 


OF  THE 


as  Comprised  in  the  Centennial  Address  of 


LEMUEL  GOTT,  M.  D., 


Extracts  from  the  Memoranda  of 


EBENEZER  POOL,  ESQ., 

and  interesting  items  from  other  sources. 


& 

& 


Compiled  by  l 

/ C/ 

JOHN  W.  MARSHALL,  NEWELL  BURNHAM, 
HENRY  DENNIS,  LEVI  CLEAVES, 

Committee. 


ROCKPORT,  MASS.: 
Printed  at  Rockport  Review  Office, 


56209 


PREFACE 


-><?< 


Fellow  Citizens: — Your  Committee  beg  leave  to  say  that  the 
correspondence  that  precedes  the  address  of  Lemuel  Gott,  M. 
D.,  sufficiently  explains  the  publication  of  this  work  at  the 
present  time. 

We  regret  that  the  publication  of  this  interesting  address 
has  been  so  long  delayed.  But  are  pleased  that  the  Doctor 
so  readily  acceded  to  our  request.  As  received,  it  is  in  book 
form,  quarto,  one  hundred  and  thirty  four  closely  written  pages. 
It  should  be  preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  town. 

In  order  to  make  the  work  convenient  for  the  printer,  we 
were  obliged  to  rewrite  it  entire. 

The  voluminous  memoranda  of  our  late  estimable  fellow 
citizen,  Eben’r.  Pool  Esq.,  which  his  heirs  have  temporarily 
placed  in  our  hands  and  from  which  we  have  made  copious 
extracts,  we  consider  of  much  value  to  the  town  and  hope  in 
due  time  the  whole  thereof  will  be  properly  compiled.  We 
appreciate  the  kindness  of  those  who  have  allowed  us  its 
present  use. 

We  do  not  claim  that  we  herewith  present  a complete  and 
exhaustive  history  of  Rockport.  But  are  free  to  say  that 
these  pages  contain  much  that  can  but  be  of  special  interest 
to  every  citizen  and  will  preserve  from  oblivion  that  which 
will  be  of  great  use  to  the  future  historian  whose  object  it 
shall  be  to  produce  a more  minute  and  complete  history  of 
this  our  pleasant  town. 

September,  1888. 


4 


INTRODUCTION, 


Mr.  Marshall: — 

You  will  recollect  that  Dr.  Gott,  at  the  request  of  the  town, 
some  years  since  wrote  a history  of  Rockport  and  read  it  before 
the  citizens,  at  one  or  more  meetings  held  for  that  purpose. 
As  that  history  was  not  printed,  but  ought  to  be,  I wrote  the 
doctor  some  time  since  to  know  whether  he  still  holds  the 
manuscript.  He  replied  that  he  had  it  in  the  same  condition 
as  when  first  written.  I think  if  the  town  desired  it  he  would 
revise  it  for  publication. 

I thought  it  proper  to  suggest  that  you  present  the  matter 
to  the  next  town  meeting, — to  see  if  the  town  will  confer  with 
the  Dr.  with  reference  to  having  it  published  while  he  is  living, 
also  to  employ  him  or  some  one  else  to  continue  the  history 
to  the  present  time. 

Yours, 

ALFRED  C.  POOL. 

Feb.  2d,  1884. 

At  a legal  meeting,  on  the  third  day  of  March  A.  D.  1884, 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Rockport,  qualified  to  vote 
in  town  affairs,  during  the  progress  of  the  meeting  and  by 
permission  of  the  same,  the  warrant  being  laid  on  the  table 
foi'  the  purpose,  Mr.  John  W.  Marshall  introduced  the  subject, 
on  which  the  following  action  was  had. 

Voted,  “That  the  Town  choose  a committee  to  confer  with 
Dr.  Lemuel  Gott  in  relation  to  the  address  delivered  by  him 
at  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the  Incorporation  of  the  5th 
Parish  of  Gloucester  in  1854  and  ascertain  if  he  will  furnish 
the  town  with  a copy  of  the  same  for  publication;  and  also  to 
confer  with  the  heirs  of  the  late  Ebenezer  Pool  and  ascertain 
upon  what  terms  or  conditions  they  will  allow  the  town  to  take 
the  notes  and  memoranda  by  him  recorded  that  they  may  be 
compiled  and  made  convenient  for  future  reference,  and  report 
at  the  next  Town  Meeting.” 

Also,  Voted,  That  a committee  of  three  be  appointed  by  the 
chair,  to  confer  with  the  above  named  parties. 


INTRODUCTION. 


5 


“The  chair,  Amos  Rowe  Esq.,  appointed  John  W.  Marshall, 
Henry  Dennis  and  Newell  Burnham,  as  that  committee.” 

A true  copy  of  record, 

Attest:  CALVIN  W.  POOL, 

Town  Clerk. 

Rockport,  March  iith,  1884. 

Lemuel  Gott  M.  D.,  Berlin , Mass. 

Dear  Sir: — At  our  annual  March  meeting  held  on  the  3d 
inst.,  a committee  of  three  persons,  viz:  John  W.  Marshall, 
Henry  Dennis  and  Newell  Burnham,  was  chosen  by  a unani- 
mous vote  to  confer  with  you  and  ascertain  if  you  will,  and 
if  so  upon  what  terms,  furnish  the  town  with  a manuscript 
copy  of  your  very  interesting  address  delivered  before  the 
inhabitants  of  the  town  on  the  2d.  day  of  January  1854,  that 
being  the  centennial  celebration  of  the  incorporation  of  Sandy 
Bay  as  the  5th  Parish  of  Gloucester. 

We  trust  you  will  favorably  consider  this  request  and  thus 
confer  a favor  upon  your  native  town. 

_ Respectfully  yours, 

For  and  in  behalf  of  the  Committee, 

JOHN  W.  MARSHALL,  Chairman. 

Berlin,  March  15th,  1884. 

Dear  Sir: — Yours  relating  to  my  centennial  address  is 
before  me. 

It  seems  the  town  has  chosen  a committee,  of  which  you 
are  a member,  to  confer  with  me  for  the  purpose  of  enquiring 
on  what  terms  a manuscript  copy  of  the  address  will  be  fur- 
nished for  preservation  as  I suppose. 

It  has  always  been  my  desire  that  the  town  should  have  a 
copy  for  this  purpose,  even  so  imperfect  as  it  is. 

My  intention  has  always  been  to  transcribe  the  address  that 
it  might  be  in  a suitable  condition  for  preservation,  and  this  is 


INTRODUCTION. 


6 

still  my  purpose,  which  I hope  to  accomplish  eventually. 
When  it  is  completed,  I may  confer  with  the  committee  further 
in  relation  thereto. 

Yours  respectfully, 

LEMUEL  GOTT. 

JOHN  W.  MARSHALL. 

After  some  further  correspondence  the  following  was 
received. 


Berlin,  Mass.,  Feb.  1885. 

Dear  Sir: — Your  kind  letter  was  duly  received,  and  I trust 
its  generous  sentiments  appreciated.  I send  you  with  this 
letter  the  address  by  the  hand  of  Mr.  John  G.  Dennis;  you 
wish  me  to  name  a sum  which  I think  would  be  a suitable, 
compensation  for  my  services.  * * * * 

I submit  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars.  I should  be  gratified  to 
receive  that  amount,  but  am  willing  to  leave  it  to  the  generosity 
of  the  town. 

Yours  respectfully, 

LEMUEL  GOTT. 

To  JOHN  W.  MARSHALL,  Chairman  of  Committee. 

The  town  at  its  annual  meeting,  on  the  second  day  of  March 
1885,  by  a unanimous  vote  appropriated  fifty  dollars,  rather 
as  a token  of  regard  for  the  lecturer  than  as  pay  for  the  valuable 
manuscript  and  service  rendered. 

A check  for  the  amount  ($50.00)  was  duly  forwarded  and 
the  receipt  thereof  was  acknowledged. 

Rockport,  March  11th,  1884. 

Mr.  Alfred  C.  Pool , 

Dear  Sir: — At  our  annual  town  meeting  on  the  3d.  inst., 
and  agreeable  to  your  suggestion,  the  town,  by  a unanimous 
vote,  appointed  a committee  of  three,  viz:  John  W.  Marshall, 
Henry  Dennis  and  Newell  Burnham,  to  confer  with  Dr.  Gott 


INTRODUCTION . 


7 


in  relation  to  his  valuable  historical  address  to  which  you  re- 
ferred in  your  letter  to  me  of  Feb.  2d.  last  passed. 

The  town  also,  by  the  same  vote,  enjoined  upon  the  committee 
to  confer  with  the  heirs  of  the  late  Ebenezer  Pool,  your  respected 
father,  and  ascertain  if  you  will,  and  upon  what  terms,  allow 
the  town  to  copy  and  compile  the  valuable  memoranda  left 
by  your  father.  I am  instructed  by  the  committee  to  address 
you,  as  we  learn  these  memoranda  are  in  your  keeping.  In 
our  estimation  these  records  are  valuable  and  will  be  more  so 
as  the  years  roll  around.  Our  object  is  to  compile  and  put 
it  in  condition  for  reference  and  perhaps  it  may  at  some 
time  be  wrought  into  a history  of  the  town.  We  trust  you 
will  give  this  matter  your  careful  consideration  and  confer 
the  favor  asked. 

Respectfully  yours, 

JOHN  W.  MARSHALL, 
For  and  in  behalf  of  the  Committee. 


Chelsea,  Mar.  22,  ’84. 

Mr.  Marshall: 

In  regard  to  the  books  in  question,  we  are  willing  that  the 
town  should  have  them  for  the  purpose  of  copying  whatever 
the  committee  may  think  useful  to  the  town,  and  will  leave  it 
to  the  generosity  of  the  town  to  make  us  such  compensation 
as  it  may  think  proper,  the  books  to  be  returned  to  me  in  a 
reasonable  time,  in  their  present  condition. 

A.  C.  POOL. 

At  the  annual  town  meeting  held  on  the  2d  day  of  March 
1885,  the  committee  made  report  of  the  foregoing  action  and 
recommended  the  acceptance  of  the  propositions  made.  This 
report  was  accepted  by  vote. 

It  was  also  voted  that  one  thousand  copies  of  the  address, 
with  other  items  of  special  interest  be  published  in  book  form 
and  be  sold  to  citizens  and  others  at  cost  price. 


8 


INTRODUCTION. 


CENTENNIAL  COMMITTEE. 

Annual  Town  Meeting. 

March  14,  1853. 

On  motion  of  Alfred  C.  Pool 
Voted,  That  a committee  of  ten  be  chosen  by  the  town  to 
appoint  some  suitable  person  to  prepare  a History  of  this  town 
and  deliver  the  same  before  the  inhabitants  on  the  31st  day  of 
December  next,  that  day  completing  one  hundred  years  since 
this  town  became  a separate  parish  of  Gloucester  under  the 
name  of  the  Cape  Parish,  and  that  said  History  be  placed  in 
the  Archives  of  the  town  as  town  property: 

And  James  Haskell, 

George  D.  Hale,  Alfred  C.  Pool,  Eben  Blatchford,  and  Thomas 
O.  Marshall  were  chosen  to  nominate  and  report  to-morrow 
morning  ten  names  for  said  committee, — who  accordingly 
reported  the  following,  to  wit: 

Messrs.  Ebenezer  Pool, 
Charles  Tarr,  Abraham  Lurvey,  Ebenezer  Davis,  Dr.  Lemuel 
Gott,  David  Brooks,  Peter  Stillman,  E.  Blatchford,  William 
Norwood,  William  Smith,  all  of  whom  were  chosen  by  vote. 

Also  Voted,  That  the  committee  have  power  to  fill  vacancies, 
should  any  occur;  and  that  the  same  be  a committee  of  arrange- 
ments. 

The  committee  soon  met  and  organized.  Mr.  Ebenezer 
Pool  was  chosen  chairman.  They  invited  the  board  of  selectmen 
viz:  Thomas  Hale,  Dudley  Choate  and  John  W.  Marshall,  to 
unite  with  them  in  carrying  into  effect  the  vote  of  the  town. 

After  due  consideration,  the  full  committee  by  their  unani- 
mous vote  extended  an  invitation  to  their  fellow  townsman 
Lemuel  Gott  M.  D.  to  prepare  and  deliver  an  historical  address 
before  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  on  Monday  the  2d  day  of 
January  1854. 

The  invitation  was  cordially  accepted  by  Dr.  Gott,  and  at 
time  appointed  was  carried  into  effect. 


INTRODUCTION. 


9 


PROGRAMME. 

Centennial  Celebration  at  Rockport. 

Services  in  the  Congregational  Meeting  House , January  2d. 
1854.,  at  2 o'clock  P.  M. 


1.  ORGAN  VOLUNTARY  by  Samuel  J.  Giles. 

2.  READING  OF  SCRIPTURE  AND  PRAYER 

by  Rev.  Thomas  Driver  (Baptist). 

3.  HYMN  composed  in  part,  and  selected  in  part, 

by  Eben’r.  Pool  Esq. 

This  hymn  was  read  by  Rev.  A.  C.  L.  Arnold 
(Universalist). 

4.  ADDRESS  by  Lemuel  Gott,  M.  D. 

Evening  Service  at  6 1-2  oclock. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 


ORGAN  VOLUNTARY  by  Samuel  J.  Giles. 

PRAYER  ~ by  Rev.  J.  A.  Gibson  (Methodist). 

ANTHEM  by  Choir,  Organ  Accompaniment. 

ADDRESS  by  Dr.  Gott,  Continued. 

BENEDICTION  by  Rev.  A.  C.  L.  Arnold. 

ORGAN  VOLUNTARY. 


fj|The  foregoing  order  of  exercises  was  successfully  performed 
and  received  the  earnest  attention  of  the  entire  audience. 

A North-east  snow  storm  raged  during  the  entire  day,  which 
prevented  friends  who  were  expected  from  abroad  from  being 
present,  yet  there  was  a large  audience  both  afternoon  and 
evening. 

The  absence  of  the  pastor  of  the  church,  Rev.  Wakefield 
Gale,  was  greatly  regretted;  the  parts  that  had  been  assigned 
him  were  performed  by  the  other  clergymen. 


IO 


INTRODUCTION. 


HYMN. 


God  of  the  circling  spheres  ! 

To  whom  a thousand  years 
Are  as  a day; 

Led  by  Thy  guiding  hand 
Our  fathers  found  this  land — 
They  firmly  took  their  stand, 
Thy  laws  t’  obey. 

Two  centuries  have  gone 
Since  fishing  here  began, 

From  other  towns; 

Eight  score  years  have  gone  by 
Since  first  our  fathers’  sigh 
Heard  here  alone  on  high, 

No  other  sound. 

Over  a rocky  road, 

They  bravely  walked  or  rode 
In  prayer  to  join; 

’Twas  through  a forest  dim 
Some  miles  they  went  to  hymn, 
God’s  praises  there  to  rhyme, 
Read  line  by  line. 

Many  a year  had  passed, 

The  time  it  came  at  last 
God’s  word  brought  near; 

A century  has  gone, 

Since  a house  near  their  home 
Was  built  for  all,  not  one, 

God’s  word  to  hear. 

A hundred  years  have  fled; 

Our  fathers  with  the  dead, 


INTRODUCTION. 


1 1 


Man’s  certain  lot; 

But  we,  their  children,  meet 
This  day  with  joy  to  greet, 

And  strengthen  home  too  sweet 
To  be  forgot. 

Our  fathers,  sons  and  all, 
Heeded  their  country’s  call 
For  liberty; 

By  land  and  sea  they  went, 
Regardless  of  event, 

To  meet  the  tyrants  sent, — 
They  would  be  free. 

Thou,  as  a shield  of  power, 

In  battle’s  awful  hour, 

Did’st  round  them  stand; 
Their  hopes  were  in  Thy  power 
Strong  in  this  trying  hour, 

By  Thee  their  banners  towered, 
God  of  our  land. 

To-this  our  early  home, 

With  filial  love  we  come, 

And  gather  here; 

To  breathe  our  native  air, 

To  join  our  souls  in  pray’r, 

And  with  our  friends  to  share 
This  social  cheer. 

Lord,  let  Thy  smile  of  love 
Beam  on  us  from  above 
While  now  we  raise 
Our  grateful  song  to  Thee — 
God  of  our  land  and  sea, 

God  of  the  bond  and  free, 

God  of  all  praise. 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


Ladies,  Gentlemen , and  Fellow  Citizens: — I trust  you  have 
not  assembled  on  this  occasion  thinking  to  be  entertained  with 
an  oration;  if  you  have,  I fear  you  will  be  disappointed.  I 
have  not  deemed  the  occasion  one  calling  for  oratory  or  rhe- 
torical display. 

The  circumstances  which  gave  origin  to  this  movement  are 
these — Dr.  William  Person,  of  Gloucester,  a man  always  to  be 
remembered  with  esteem,  while  rummaging  among  some  old 
papers  in  his  office,  chanced  to  light  upon  an  old  document 
relating  to  this  Cape.  It  was  the  first  tax  list  for  this  Cape 
after  it  had  become  a Parish,  which  was  January  first  1754, 
when  the  act  received  the  signature  of  the  Governor. 

The  doctor  bequeathed  this  ancient  relic  to  Mr.  Ebenezer 
Pool,  with  his  particular  request  that  it  should  be  preserved 
for  future  generations,  as  a memento  of  the  past,  suggesting 
at  the  same  time,  the  propriety  of  the  town’s  commemorating 
the  organization  of  the  fifth  parish  by  an  historical  address. 
The  town  at  its  last*annual  meeting  acted  upon  the  suggestion 
and  chose  a committee  to  carry  it  into  effect.  The  speaker 
has  been  induced  to  attempt  this  duty  for  the  town. 

There  are  times  and  occasions  in  the  history  of  communities, 
as  of  individuals,  of  more  than  ordinary  interest,  when  it  is 
fitting  to  lay  aside  our  usual  cares  and  turn  our  attention,  for 
a while,  to  the  contemplation  of  the  past.  Such  is  our  privilege 
on  the  present  occasion. 

Yesterday,  January  first  1854,  completed  the  period  of  a 
hundred  years  since  the  Cape  was  incorporated  as  a parish; 
a much  longer  time  has  passed  since  our  history  began. 

I propose,  in  this  survey,  to  go  back  to  our  origin,  introducing 
and  making  extracts  from  old  documents,  according  to  my 
fancy,  and  gradually  to  come  down  to  the  present  day.  This 
will  necessarily  consume  much  time  and  call  for  much  patience 


14 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


on  the  part  of  speaker  and  hearer.  And  here  at  the  outset  I 
would  acknowledge  my  indebtedness,  for  much  that  I may 
communicate,  to  Mr.  Ebenezer  Pool  of  Rockport  and  Mr.  John 
J.  Babson  of  Gloucester,  Mass.,  whose  researches  into  our 
antiquities  are  to  be  highly  commended. 

But,  with  all  the  facilities  afforded  by  these  gentlemen  and 
by  the  aged  people  about  town,  I am  conscious  of  my  inability 
to  do  anything  like  justice  to  this  subject.  Many  things  im- 
portant will  probably  be  imperfectly  described  or  wholly  passed 
over,  while  others  of  less  consequence  may  be  made  too 
prominent.  Many  things  pertaining  to  our  history  are  neces- 
sarily obscure,  being  matters  of  tradition,  or  concealed  beneath 
the  rubbish  which  has  been  suffered  to  accumulate  about  them 
by  the  lapse  of  time  and  by  indifference. 

Our  ancestors  were  not  ambitious  of  fame  or  covetous  of 
renown.  They  probably  felt  themselves  obscure  and  not  of 
great  consequence  whether  they  were  known  in  history  or  not. 

But 

“Let  not  Ambition  mock  their  useful  toil, 

Their  homely  joys  and  destiny  obscure; 

Nor  Grandeur  hear  with  a disdainful  smile 
The  short  and  simple  annals  of  the  poor.” 

As  early  as  1602,  we  read  of  English  navigators  visiting  the 
coast  of  North  America  for  the  first  time.  Bartholomew 
Gosnold,  an  intrepid  seaman,  at  this  period  discovered  the  coast 
lying  North  of  this  Cape,  probably,  from  the  description, 
between  Portland  and  York.  To  a person  not  acquainted  with 
the  coast  it  might  appear,  from  the  account  of  the  voyage,  that 
he  had  described  some  part  of  our  coast,  for  he  speaks  of  a 
rock  which  he  named  Salvages  from  the  circumstance  that 
Savages  came  to  them  in  a boat  from  this  rock;  but  his  latitude 
and  other  circumstances,  distances  and  description  of  scenery, 
do  not  answer  to  our  coast.  If  he  saw  this  Cape  he  did  not 
describe  it.  From  the  account,  he  must  have  passed  it  in  the 
night;  the  next  day  he  discovered  Cape  Cod. 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


15 


Martin  Pring  follows,  the  next  year,  in  the  same  track, 
making  similar  discoveries,  but  his  account  is  very  obscure. 

To  Capt.  John  Smith  belongs  the  honor  of  first  having  visited 
and  described  our  coast  in  the  year  1614.  Smith  was  a bold 
adventurer  and  forms  an  important  character  in  history.  At 
the  age  of  13,  he  sold  his  books  and  satchel  to  raise  money  to 
convey  himself  privately  to  sea,  but  was  prevented.  At  the 
age  of  17,  he  embarked  at  Marseilles  on  a voyage  to  Italy; 
encountering  a storm,  he  was  thrown  into  the  sea  by  the  super- 
stitious Pilgrims  on  board,  who  suspected  him  to  be  the  cause 
of  the  storm.  He  escaped  to  the  shore,  entered  the  Austrian 
service,  distinguished  himself  in  battle.  At  the  siege  of  Regal, 
the  Turks  challenged  the  Christians  to  fight  any  Captain,  for 
diversion  of  the  ladies.  Smith  accepted  the  challenge  and 
killed,  in  single  combat,  three  Turks  in  succession. 

He  afterwards  turned  his  attention  to  America,  visited  the 
Chesapeake  Bay  in  1607,  and  during  his  stay  in  the  country 
occurred  his  celebrated  adventure  with  the  Indian  chief, 
Powhatan,  and  the  saving  of  his  life  by  Pocahontas. 

In  1609  he  visited  England,  and  in  1614  visited  North 
America,  and  ranged-the  coast  of  what  was  then  called  North 
Virginia,  from  Penobscot  Bay  to  Cape  Cod,  in  an  open  boat, 
with  eight  men,  surveying  the  coast  and  harbors;  and  at  his 
suggestion,  having  formed  a map  of  the  country,  this  part  of 
America  was  for  the  first  time  called  New  England. 

Methinks  I see  this  bold  and  hardy  adventurer  plowing  his 
solitary  way  through  these  unfrequented  seas.  He  pauses  in 
his  voyage  and  surveys  these  bold  and  rugged  shores.  The 
event  is  pregnant  of  consequences  of  which  he  is  unconscious. 
He  names  this  Cape  Tragbizanda,  or  rather  Tragabigzanda,  in 
honor  of  a Turkish  lady  who  had  rendered  him  important 
service  while  a prisoner  among  the  Turks.  This  name  was 
afterwards  altered  to  Ann  by  Prince  Charles  in  honor  of  his 
mother,  Anne  of  Denmark.  But  this  Cape  was  not  without  a 
name,  previous  to  this  important  event.  Before  the  hardy 


1 6 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


Englishmen  had  visited  these  shores,  the  wild  natives  of  the 
region  had  doubtless  for  ages  honored  it  by  some  name.  Its 
name  was  Wingaersheek,  at  the  time  of  Capt.  Smith.  The 
meaning  of  this  word  we  do  not  know;  no  doubt,  it  was  appro- 
priate and  significant  as  Indian  names  usually  are.  The 
authority  which  gives  this  Indian  name  says  it  was  the  original 
for  the  place  called,  subsequently,  Gloucester,  by  the  English. 

I use  it  here  in  application  to  the  whole  territory  comprised 
in  the  English  name,  whether  justly  or  not  history  does  not 
determine.  The  grandson  of  Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges  of  England 
writing,  in  1658,  of  New  England,  says:  “A  little  farther, 
the  Cape  Tragbizanda,  otherwise  called  Champlain,  St.  Louis, 
and,  by  the  natives,  Wingaersheek,  shoots  itself  into  the  sea 
by  a long  neck  before  which  lie  three  islands,  vulgarly  called 
‘Turks-heads.’  ” This  writer,  not  having  been  in  the  country, 
had  an  imperfect  knowledge  of  the  region  and  hence  attached 
these  names,  Champlain  and  St.  Louis,  which  perhaps  belonged 
to  some  other  part  of  the  Country.  The  next  we  hear  of  Cape 
Ann  is  in  1624  when  a fishing  company  is  formed  at  Dorchester, 
England,  to  carry  on  the  cod  fishing  at  Cape  Ann.  This 
company  sent  their  vessels  here  at  Gloucester,  a short  time, 
when  they  broke  up,  taking  their  house  to  Salem  where  it  was 
erected  into  a dwelling-house,  near  the  old  court  house.  A 
writer  in  the  National  Era  of  January  5th.  1853,  in  an  article 
describing  the  old  affairs  of  Salem,  says:  “There  are  many 
houses  in  Salem  which  date  back  very  early,  one,  in  particular, 
which  stands  at  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Church  Streets 
which  was  built  at  Gloucester  on  Cape  Ann.  It  was  taken  to 
pieces  and  brought  by  sea  to  Salem,  by  Roger  Conant,  before 
1629.  Gov  Endicott  resided  in  it  for  a time.  Since  those  old 
Colony  days  it  has  passed  through  different  hands,  at  one  time 
being  transformed  into  the  Ship  Tavern,  at  another  occupied  as 
a shop  and  then  again  restored  to  its  former  condition  as  a 
dwelling-house.”  Part  of  the  fishermen  went  to  Salem;  some 
remained  here,  probably.  These  fishermen  were,  doubtless, 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS . 


17 


bold  and  hardy  men  and  no  doubt  cruised  about  our  fishing 
grounds,  near  the  coast,  frequently  creeping  about  our  shore 
and  making  a harbor  here  as  occasion  required. 

Fish,  we  may  suppose,  were  then  plenty,  and  these  fishermen 
were  probably  the  first  Europeans  that  pressed  their  feet  upon 
our  soil.  Gov.  Winthrop  says,  in  his  journal  commencing 
with  his  voyage  from  England  to  this  country,  that  this  Cape 
was  the  first  they  made,  in  June  1630.  They  came  to  anchor 
near  the  Cape  and  tried  to  catch  fish.  They  visited  the  shore 
and  wandered  about  and  picked  berries  which  they  found  in 
abundance,  but  it  is  not  certain  that  it  was  this  part  of  Cape 
Ann  that  he  visited.  The  Sagamore  or  Indian  chief  of 
Agawam,  now  Ipswich,  came  on  board. 

Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges,  in  1658,  says:  “The  one  and 

twentieth  town  erected  in  Massachusetts  Government  was 
upon  the  Northerly  cape  of  the  bay,  called  Cape  Ann,  in  the 
year  1641.” 

At  first  peopled  with  fishermen,  till  one,  Mr.  Richard 
*Blindman,  coming  from  Green  Harbor,  a place  in  Plymouth, 
with  some  few  people  of  his  acquaintance  settled  here,  built  a 
town  and  named  it  Gloucester. 

In  another  place  he  says  of  the  advenULirers  of  1628:  “The 
place  picked  out  by  this  people  to  settle  themselves  in  was  in 
the  bosom  of  the  outstretched  arm  of  Cape  Ann,  now  called 
Gloucester.”  In  another  place  he  says:  “Mr.  Richard  Blind- 
man  gathered  them  into  a church,  being  a small  number  about 
fifty  persons:  they  called  to  office  this  godly,  reverend  man.” 

As  early  as  1633,  says  Rev.  Eli  Forbes  of  Gloucester,  they 
met  and  carried  on  the  worship  of  God  among  themselves,  read 
the  word  of  God,  prayed  to  Him  and  sang  Psalms. 

In  1639,  we  learn  that  the  fishing  company  before  referred 
to  was  at  Cape  Ann  and  in  1641  three  hundred  thousand  codfish 
were  sent  to  market,  equal  to  9,000  quintals,  and  at  this  time, 
1639,  at  General  Court  held  at  Boston  on  the  22d.  day  of 
*Blyndman. 


i8 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


the  month,  which  was  May  according  to  their  reckoning,  Cape 
Ann  was  incorporated  as  a fishing  plantation  begun  by  Maverick 
Thompson,  a London  merchant,  in  1642;  by  an  act  of  the 
Court  it  received  the  name  of  Gloucester. 

During  all  this  time,  the  Indians,  we  may  suppose,  held  an 
interest  in  the  territory  in  Cape  Ann  and  probably  dwelt  here 
or  in  the  vicinity,  engaged  in  hunting  and  fishing:  few  or  no 
memorials,  however,  are  recorded  of  them;  but  as  late  as  1701 
there  is  an  account  of  a sale  of  land  made  for  the  purpose  of 
making  the  last  payment  to  a person  by  the  name  of  Samuel 
English,  an  Indian  agent,  as  supposed.  It  is  not  known  what 
amount  was  to  be  paid  the  Indians  for  the  whole  land,  but  it  is  a 
satisfaction  to  know  that  it  was  honorably  purchased  and  paid  for 
The  following  is  the  description  of  the  Indians  residing  in 
this  locality  by  one  of  the  voyagers  referred  to.  “While 
crossing  along  the  coast,  a Biscay  shallop  with  sail  and  oars, 
having  eight  persons  in  it  whom  we  at  first  took  to  be  Christians 
distressed.  But  approaching  nearer  we  perceived  them  to  be 
Savages.  They  hailed  us  and  we  answered  them;  then,  after 
signs  of  peace  and  a long  speech  by  one  of  them  made,  they 
came  boldly  aboard  of  us,  being  all  naked  saving  about  their 
shoulders  certain  loose  deer  skins  and  near  their  waists  seal 
skins  tied  fast  like  to  Irish  dimmie  trowsers.  One  that  seemed 
to  be  their  Commander  wore  a waistcoat  of  black  work,  a pair 
of  breeches,  cloth  stockings  (supposed  to  have  been  taken  from 
some  wreck).  These  people  are  in  color  swart,  their  hair 
long,  uptied  with  a knot,  in  the  part  of  the  head  behind.  They 
paint  their  bodies  which  are  strong  and  well  proportioned.” 
The  only  works  of  art  commemorating  the  existence  of 
Indians  in  this  vicinity,  that  have  been  seen,  were  heaps  of 
clam  shells  known  to  the  early  settlers  in  Annisquam,  and  a 
few  stone  instruments.  The  remains  of  persons  supposed  to 
have  been  Indians  have  been  disinterred  recently  in  Town 
Parish  (Gloucester);  also,  some  sixty  years  ago,  the  remains 
of  Indians  were  discovered  at  Annisquam. 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


19 


The  name  Annisquam  was  originally  (it  is  said)  by  the  first 
discoverers  called  Wonasquam,  by  some  others  as  now.  The 
word  Quom,  or  Squam,  was  significant  as  an  Indian  name  of 
the  harbor  or  location  and  Annis  was  prefixed  as  indicating 
the  harbor  of  Ann,  as  the  Cape  was  the  Cape  of  Ann.  Agasquam 
is  also  used  in  an  ancient  document  relating  to  the  first  settle- 
ment of  the  place,  according  to  this  well  authenticated  account 
of  the  first  European  settler  who  was  a son  of  the  Rev.  John 
Robinson  of  Leyden,  Holland,  pastor  of  the  first  Pilgrims  to 
Plymouth,  and  that  all  of  that  name  sprang  from  him. 

We  have  now  come  to  that  interesting  and  melancholy  period 
in  our  history,  namely — The  shipwreck  of  Anthony  Thacher 
and  his  associates,  Rev.  Mr.  Avery  and  their  children.  I have 
thought  there  would  be  a propriety  in  introducing  this  ancient 
narrative,  constituting  as  it  does  an  important  event  in  the 
history  of  this  Cape;  also  as  an  historical  fact  is  to  be  settled, 
namely:  Where  did  this  shipwreck  happen?  a question  which 
the  people  here  are  the  best  qualified  to  determine. 

Probably  it  is  an  account  which  few  of  our  people  ever  read 
and  to  abridge  it  would  mar  its  simple  pathos  and  despoil  it 
of  much  of  its  melancholy  interest.  Anthony  Thacher’s  nar- 
rative of  his  shipwreck,  in  Young’s  Chronicles  of  Massachusetts: 
“I  must  turn  my  drowned  pen  and  shaking  hand  to  indite  the 
story  of  such  sad  news  as  never  before  this  happened  in  New 
England.  There  was  a league  of  perpetual  friendship  between 
my  cousin  Avery  and  myself  never  to  forsake  each  other  to 
the  death  but  to  be  partakers  of  each  other’s  misery  or  welfare, 
as  also  of  habitation  in  the  same  place.  Now  upon  our  arrival 
in  New  England  there  was  an  offer  made  unto  us.  My  cousin 
Avery  was  invited  to  Marblehead  to  be  their  pastor  in  due 
time,  there  being  no  church  planted  there  as  yet,  but  a town 
appointed  to  set  up  the  trade  of  fishing,  because  many  there  (the 
most  being  fishermen)  were  something  loose  and  remiss  in  their 
behaviour.  My  cousin  Avery  was  unwilling  to  go  there;  and 
so  refusing,  we  went  to  Newberry  intending  there  to  sit  down. 


20 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


But  being  solicited  so  often  both  by  the  men  of  the  place 
and  by  the  magistrates  and  by  Mr.  Cotton  and  most  of  the 
ministers,  who  alleged  what  a benefit  we  might  be  to  the  people 
there  and  also  to  the  Country  and  Commonwealth,  at  length 
we  embraced  it  and  there  consented  to  go.  They  of  Marblehead 
forthwith  sent  a pinnace  for  us  and  our  goods.  We  embarked 
at  Ipswich,  August  nth.  1635,  with  our  families  and  substance, 
bound  for  Marblehead  we  being  in  all  twenty-three  souls, 
namely:  eleven  in  my  cousin’s  family,  seven  in  mine,  and  one 
Mr.  William  Elliot,  sometimes  of  New  Sarum,  and  four  mar- 
iners. The  next  morning,  having  commended  ourselves  to 
God,  with  cheerful  hearts  we  hoisted  sail. 

But  the  Lord  suddenly  turned  our  cheerfulness  into  mourning 
and  lamentations  for  on  the  14th.  day  of  August  1635,  about 
ten  at  night,  having  a fresh  gale  of  wind,  our  sails  being  old 
and  done  were  split.  The  mariners,  because  that  it  was  night, 
would  not  put  to  new  sails  but  resolved  to  cast  anchor  till  the 
morning.  But  before  light  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  send  so 
mighty  a storm  as  the  like  was  never  known  in  New  England 
since  the  English  came,  nor  in  the  memory  of  any  of  the  Indians. 

It  was  so  furious  that  our  anchors  came  home.  Whereupon 
the  mariners  let  out  more  cable  which  at  last  slipped  away. 
Then  our  sailors  knew  not  what  to  do,  but  we  were  driven 
before  the  wind  and  waves. 

My  cousin  and  I perceived  our  danger  and  solemnly  recom- 
mended ourselves  to  God  the  Lord  both  of  earth  and  seas, 
expecting  with  every  wave  to  be  swallowed  up  and  drenched 
in  the  deep.  And  as  my  cousin,  his  wife,  and  my  tender  babes 
sat  comforting  and  cheering  each  other  in  the  Lord  against 
ghastly  death  which  every  moment  stared  us  in  the  face  and 
sat  triumphing  on  each  one’s  forehead,  we  were  by  the  violence 
and  fury  of  the  winds,  by  the  Lord’s  permission,  lifted  upon  a 
rock  between  two  high  rocks,  yet  all  was  one  rock.  But  it 
raged  with  the  stroke  which  came  into  the  pinnace  so  as  we 
were  presently  up  to  our  middles  in  water  as  we  sat.  The 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


21 


waves  came  furiously  and  violently  over  us  and  against  us, 
but  by  reason  of  the  rock’s  proportion  could  not  lift  us  offbut 
beat  her  all  to  pieces.  Now  look  with  me  upon  our  distress 
and  consider  of  my  misery  who  beheld  the  ship  broken,  the 
water  in  her  and  violently  overwhelming  us,  my  goods  and 
provisions  swimming  in  the  seas,  my  friends  almost  drowned, 
and  mine  own  poor  children  so  untimely  (if  I may  so  term  it 
without  offence)  before  mine  eyes  drowned  and  ready  to  be 
swallowed  up  and  dashed  to  pieces  against  the  rocks  by  the 
merciless  waves,  and  myself  ready  to  accompany  them.  But 
I must  go  on  to  an  end  of  this  woful  relation.  In  the  same 
room  whereas  he  sat,  the  master  of  the  pinnace,  not  knowing 
what  to  do,  our  foremast  was  cut  down,  our  mainmast  broken 
in  three  pieces,  the  forepart  of  the  pinnace  beat  away,  our 
goods  swimming  about  the  seas,  my  children  bewailing  me,  as 
not  pitying  themselves,  and  myself  bemoaning  them,  poor 
souls,  whom  I had  occasioned  to  such  an  end  in  their  tender 
years,  when  as  they  could  scarce  be  sensible  of  death,  and  so 
likewise  my  cousin,  his  wife  and  his  children;  and  both  of  us 
bewailing  each  other  in  our  Lord  and  only  Savior,  Jesus  Christ, 
in  whom  only  we  hatl  comfort  and  cheerfulness,  insomuch 
that  from  the  greatest  to  the  least  of  us  there  was  not  one 
screech  or  outcry  made,  but  all  as  silent  as  sheep  were  content- 
edly resolved  to  die  together  lovingly,  as  since  our  acquaintance 
we  had  lived  together  friendly. 

Now  I was  sitting  in  the  cabin  room  door  with  my  body  in 
the  room,  when  lo!  one  of  the  sailors  by  a wave  being  washed 
out  of  the  pinnace  was  gotten  in  again  and  coming  into  the 
cabin  room  over  my  back,  cried  out:  “We  are  cast  away!  The 
Lord  have  mercy  upon  us!  I have  been  washed  over-board 
into  the  sea  and  am  gotten  in  again.”  His  screeches  made 
me  look  forth;  and  looking  toward  the  sea  and  seeing  how  we 
were,  I turned  myself  to  my  cousin  and  the  rest  and  spake 
these  words:  “O  Cousin,  it  hath  pleased  God  to  cast  us  here 


22 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


between  two  rocks,  the  shore  not  far  from  us  for  I saw  the 
tops  of  trees  when  I looked  forth.” 

Whereupon  the  master  of  the  pinnace  looking  up  at  the 
scuttle  hole  of  the  quarter-deck,  went  out  at  it;  but  I never 
saw  him  afterwards.  Then  he  that  had  been  in  the  sea  went 
out  again  by  me  and  leaped  over-board  towards  the  rocks, 
whom  afterwards  also  I could  not  see.  Now  n^ne  were  left 
in  the  barque,  that  I knew  or  saw,  but  my  cousin,  his  wife  and 
children,  myself  and  mine  and  his  maid  servant.  But  my  cousin 
thought  I would  have  fled  from  him,  and  said  unto  me:  “O 
Cousin  leave  us  not,  let  us  die  together,”  and  reached  forth 
his  hand  unto  me. 

Then  I,  letting  go  my  son  Peter’s  hand,  took  him  by  the 
hand  and  said:  “Cousin,  I purpose  not.  Whither  shall  I go? 
I am  willing  and  ready  here  to  die  with  you  and  my  poor 
children.  God  be  merciful  unto  us  and  receive  us  unto  Himself,” 
adding  these  words,  “The  Lord  is  able  to  help  and  deliver.” 

He  replied  saying:  “Truth,  Cousin,  but  what  His  pleasure  is 
we  know  not.  I fear  we  have  been  too  unthankful  for  former 
deliverances,  but  He  hath  promised  to  deliver  us  from  sin  and 
condemnation  and  to  bring  us  safe  to  heaven  through  the  all 
sufficient  satisfaction  of  Jesus  Christ.  This  therefore  we  may 
challenge  of  Him.” 

To  which  I replying  said:  “That  is  all  the  deliverance  I 
now  desire  and  expect.”  Which  words  I had  no  sooner  spoken 
but  by  a mighty  wave  I was  with  the  piece  of  the  barque 
w ashed  out  upon  part  of  the  rock,  where  the  w aves  left  me 
almost  drowned.  But  recovering  my  feet  I saw  above  me  on 
the  rock  my  daughter  Mary,  to  w hom  I had  no  sooner  gotten 
but  my  cousin  Avery  and  his  eldest  son  came  to  us,  being  all 
four  of  us  washed  out  by  one  and  the  same  wave.  We  went 
all  into  a small  hole  on  the  top  of  the  rock,  w hence  we  called 
to  those  in  the  pinnace  to  come  unto  us,  supposing  we  had 
been  in  more  safety  than  they  were  in.  My  wife,  seeing  us 
there,  crept  up  into  the  scuttle  of  the  quarter-deck  to  come 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


unto  us.  But  presently  came  another  wave  and  dashing  the 
pinnace  all  to  pieces  carried  my  wife  away  in  the  scuttle  as  she 
was,  with  the  greater  part  of  the  quarter-deck,  unto  the  shore, 
where  she  was  cast  safely,  but  her  legs  were  something  bruised, 
and  much  timber  of  the  vessel  was  there  also  cast.  She  was 
some  time  before  she  could  get  away,  being  washed  by  the 
waves.  All  the  rest  that  were  in  the  barque  were  drowned  in 
the  merciless  seas.  We  four  by  that  wave  were  clean  swept 
away  from  off  the  rock,  also  into  the  sea,  the  Lord  in  one 
instant  of  time  disposing  of  fifteen  souls  of  us  according  to 
His  good  pleasure  and  will.  This  pleasure  and  wonderful 
great  mercy  to  me  was  thus:  standing  on  the  rock  as  before 
you  heard,  with  my  eldest  daughter,  my  cousin  and  eldest 
son,  looking  upon  and  talking  to  them  in  the  barque,  whereas 
we  were  by  that  merciless  wave  washed  ofif  the  rock  as  before 
you  heard,  God  in  His  mercy  caused  me  to  fall  by  the  stroke 
of  the  waves  fiat  on  my  face,  for  my  face  was  towards  the  sea. 
Insomuch  that  as  I was  sliding  off  the  rock  into  the  sea  the 
Lord  directed  my  toes  into  a joint  in  the  rock’s  side  as  also 
the  tops  of  some  of  my  fingers  with  my  right  hand,  by  the 
means  whereof,  the  wave  leaving  me,  I remained  so  hanging 
on  the  rock  only  my  head  above  the  water,  when  on  the  left 
hand  I espied  a board  or  plank  of  the  pinnace,  and  as  I was 
reaching  out  my  left  hand  to  lay  hold  on  it,  by  another  wave 
coming  over  the  top  of  the  rock  I was  washed  away  from  the 
rock  and  by  the  violence  of  the  wave  was  driven  hither  and 
thither  in  the  sea  a great  while,  and  had  many  dashes  against 
the  rocks.  At  length  past  hope  of  life  and  wearied  in  body 
and  spirits,  I even  gave  over  to  nature  and  being  ready  to 
receive  in  the  waters  of  death,  I lifted  up  both  my  heart  and 
hands  to  the  God  of  heaven  (for  note  I had  my  senses  remaining 
perfect  with  me  all  the  time  that  I was  under  and  in  the  water) 
who  at  that  instant  lifted  my  head  above  the  top  of  the  water, 
that  so  I might  breathe  without  any  hindrance  by  the  waters. 

I stood  bolt  upright  as  if  I had  stood  upon  my  feet  but  I 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


24- 

felt  no  bottom  nor  had  any  footing  to  stand  upon  but  the 
waters.  While  I was  thus  above  the  water  I saw  by  me  a 
piece  of  the  mast  as  I suppose  about  three  feet  long,  which  I 
labored  to  catch  in  my  arms,  but  suddenly  I was  overwhelmed 
with  water  and  driven  to  and  fro  again,  and  at  last  I felt  the 
ground  with  my  right  foot,  when  immediately  whilst  I was 
thus  groveling  on  my  face  I presently  recovering  my  feet  was 
in  the  water  up  to  my  breast  and  through  God’s  great  mercy 
had  my  face  unto  the  shore  and  not  to  the  sea.  I made  haste 
to  get  out,  but  was  thrown  down  on  my  hands  with  the  waves 
and  so  with  safety  crept  to  the  dry  shore,  where  blessing  God, 
I turned  about  to  look  for  my  children  and  friends  but  saw 
neither  nor  any  part  of  the  pinnace,  where  I left  them  as  I 
supposed,  but  I saw  my  wife  about  a butt  length  from  me, 
getting  herself  forth  from  amongst  the  timbers  of  the  broken 
barque;  but  before  I could  get  unto  her  she  was  gotten  to  the 
shore.  I was  in  the  water  after  I was  washed  from  the  rock, 
before  I came  to  the  shore,  a quarter  of  an  hour  at  least. 

When  we  were  come  each  to  the  other  we  went  and  sat 
under  the  bank,  but  fear  of  the  seas  roaring  and  our  coldness 
would  not  suffer  us  there  to  remain.  But  we  went  up  into 
the  land  and  sat  us  down  under  a cedar  tree  which  the  wind 
had  thrown  down,  where  we  sat  about  an  hour,  almost  dead 
with  cold.  But  now  the  storm  was  broken  up  and  the  wind 
was  calm.  But  the  sea  remained  rough  and  fearful  to  us. 

My  legs  were  much  bruised  and  so  was  my  head,  other 
hurts  I had  none,  neither  had  I taken  in  much  quantity  of 
water,  but  my  heart  would  not  let  me  sit  still  any  longer  but 
I would  go  to  see  if  any  more  were  gotten  to  the  land  in  safety, 
especially  hoping  to  have  met  with  some  of  my  poor  children, 
but  I could  find  none,  neither  dead  nor  yet  living.  You 
condole  with  me  my  miseries,  who  now  begun  to  consider  of 
my  losses. 

Now  came  to  my  remembrance  the  time  and  manner,  how 
and  when,  I last  saw  and  left  my  children  and  friends.  One 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


25 

was  severed  from  me  sitting  on  the  rock  at  my  feet,  the  other 
three  in  the  pinnace,  my  little  babe  (Ah,  poor  Peter!)  sitting 
in  his  sister  Edith’s  arms,  who  to  the  uttermost  of  her  power 
sheltered  him  from  the  waters,  my  poor  William  standing 
close  unto  them,  all  three  of  them  looking  ruefully  on  me  on 
the  rock,  their  very  countenances  calling  unto  me  to  help 
them,  whom  I could  not  go  unto  neither  could  they  come  at 
me,  neither  would  the  merciless  waves  afford  me  space  or 
time  to  use  any  means  at  all  either  to  help  them  or  myself. 
Oh  I yet  see  their  cheeks,  poor  silent  lambs  pleading  pity  and 
help  at  my  hands.  Then  on  the  other  side  to  consider  the 
loss  of  my  dear  friends,  with  the  spoiling  and  loss  of  all  our 
goods  and  provisions,  myself  cast  upon  an  unknown  land,  in 
a wilderness,  I know  not  where,  nor  how  to  get  thence.  Then 
it  came  to  my  mind  how  I had  occasioned  the  death  of  my 
children,  who  caused  them  to  leave  their  native  land,  who 
might  have  left  them  there,  yea  and  might  have  sent  some  of 
them  back  again  and  cost  me  nothing.  Those  and  such  like 
thoughts  do  press  down  my  heavy  heart  very  much.  But  I 
must  let  this  pass,  and  will  proceed  on  in  the  relation  of  God’s 
goodness  unto  me-in  that  desolate  island  on  which  I was  cast. 
I and  my  wife  were  almost  naked,  both  of  us,  and  wet  and 
cold  even  unto  death.  I found  a knapsack  cast  upon  the 
shore,  in  which  I had  a steel  and  flint  and  powder  horn;  going 
further  I found  a drowned  goat;  then  I found  a hat  and  my 
son  William’s  coat,  both  of  which  I put  on.  My  wife  found 
one  of  her  petticoats,  which  she  put  on.  I found  also  two 
cheeses  and  some  butter  driven  ashore.  Thus  the  Lord  sent 
us  some  clothes  to  put  on  and  food  to  sustain  our  new  lives 
which  we  had  lately  given  unto  us,  and  means  also  to  make  a 
fire,  for  in  a horn  I had  some  gunpowder  which,  to  my  own 
and  since  to  other  men’s  admiration,  was  dry.  So  taking  a 
piece  of  my  wife’s  neckcloth  which  I dried  in  the  sun,  I struck 
fire  and  so  dried  and  warmed  our  wet  bodies;  and  then  skinned 
the  goat  and  having  found  a small  brass  pot  we  boiled  some 


2 6 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. . 


of  her.  Our  drink  was  brackish  wrater.  Bread  we  had  none. 
There  we  remained  till  the  Monday  following;  when  about 
three  of  the  clock  in  the  afternoon,  in  a boat  that  came  that 
way,  we  went  off  that  desolate  island,  which  I named  after  my 
name — Thacher’s  Woe — and  the  rock  Avery  his  fall,  to  the 
end  that  their  fall  and  loss  and  mine  own  might  be  had  in 
perpetual  remembrance.  In  the  isle  lieth  buried  the  body  of 
my  cousin’s  eldest  daughter,  whom  I found  dead  on  the  shore. 
On  the  Tuesday  following,  in  the  afternoon,  we  arrived  at 
Marblehead.”  Here  closes  this  thrilling  and  affecting  narrative. 

Dr  Alexander  Young  from  whose  works  the  letter  is  taken 
remarks  that  the  author,  Anthony  Thacher,  was  a tailor  by 
profession.  This  narrative  was  written  to  his  brother  in  a 
letter  to  England,  as  Increase  Mather  says,  “Within  a few 
days  after  that  eminent  providence  happened  to  him,  when 
matters  were  fresh  in  his  memory.” 

Cotton  Mather  says  that  a day  or  two  before  that  fatal 
voyage  from  Newbury  to  Marblehead  our  young  Thacher,  a 
nephew,  had  such  a strong  and  sad  impression  upon  his  mind 
about  the  issue  of  the  voyage,  that  he  with  another  would 
needs  go  the  journey  by  land  and  so  he  escaped  perishing. 

Anthony  Thacher  after  this  catastrophe  resided  at  Marshfield 
and  the  General  Court  gave  him,  says  Winthrop,  twenty-six 
pounds,  thirteen  shillings,  four  pence  towards  his  losses,  and 
divers  good  people  gave  him  beside.  In  1639  he  removed  to 
Yarmouth,  Cape  Cod,  where  he  resided  till  his  death,  1668, 
aged  eighty  years.  He  left  two  sons  and  one  daughter  born 
after  the  shipwreck.  Dr.  Thacher,  a descendant,  says  that  a 
cradle  coverlet  of  scarlet  broadcloth  and  some  articles  of 
clothing  said  to  have  been  saved  from  the  shipwreck,  are  now 
in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Peter  Thacher  and  such  is  the  vener- 
ation for  these  relics,  that  every  child  of  Thacher  families  that 
has  been  baptized  in  Yarmouth  has  been  carried  to  the  baptismal 
font,  enwrapped  in  them. 

According  to  the  narrative  of  Mr.  Thacher,  one  thing  we 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


2; 


think  is  apparent  to  every  person  who  is  acquainted  with  our 
shores — namely  that  the  rock  called  Avery  is  not  the  rock 
upon  which  the  shipwreck  happened,  for  it  has  not  the  char- 
acteristics spoken  of  by  the  narrator:  not  being  out  of  water 
or  capable  of  admitting  of  persons  walking  on  it  or  standing 
upon  it,  much  less  sitting  upon  it,  as  the  narrator  represents 
one  of  his  children  as  sitting  at  his  feet  when  severed  from 
him.  We  also  have  proofs  from  another  source  that  this 
could  not  be  the  rock.  From  the  journal  of  Richard  Mather 
who  was  on  the  coast  at  the  same  time  in  a ship  from  England, 
we  learn  that  for  several  days  previous  to  this  shipwreck  the 
wind  was  south,  south-westerly  and  was  in  this  direction  when 
the  pinnace  split  her  sails  and  came  to  anchor  on  the  night  of 
the  14th.  of  August.  Mather  says:  “On  Saturday  morning 
about  break  of  day  the  Lord  sent  a most  terrible  storm  of 
rain  and  easterly  wind  whereby  we  were  in  as  much  danger 
as  I think  ever  people  were  for  we  lost  in  that  morning  three 
great  anchors  and  cables  where  they  lay  at  anchor  near  the 
Isles  of  Shoals.”  This  was  on  the  1 5th.  at  about  the  break 
of  day  it  will  be  perceived.  Thacher  says:  “But  before  daylight,” 
namely  daylight  on  the  1 5th.,  “it  pleased  the  Lord  to  send  so 
mighty  a storm  as  the  like  was  never  known  in  New  England 
since  the  English  came.”  “It  was  so  furious  that  our  anchors 
came  home,  whereupon  the  mariners  let  out  more  cable  which 
at  last  slipped  away.”  Here  we  learn  the  direction  of  the 
wind  when  the  pinnace  struck  adrift  and  went  on  to  the  rock. 
It  was  easterly.  Our  conclusion  is  that  it  must  have  been 
Crackwood’s  Rock,  about  a gunshot  from  the  western  head 
of  the  island,  which  looks  like  two  rocks  at  half  tide  but  is 
one  rock  with  a passage  admitting  a small  boat  through. 

The  name  Londoner  was  given  to  the  rock  of  that  name 
years  after  the  shipwreck  of  Thacher,  in  consequence  of  the 
ship  London  being  cast  away  there;  its  early  name  was  Gannet 
Rock. 

There  are  at  least  three  graves  known  on  this  island  near 


28 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


the  western  head;  tradition  says  they  were  shipwrecked 
mariners,  two  of  them  at  least.  A few  years  since,  these 
graves  were  examined  at  the  request  of  a stranger  and  one  of 
the  graves  was  found  to  contain  the  skeleton  of  a female. 

No  calamity  of  such  a nature  as  this  just  related,  from  that 
day  to  this,  has  occurred  on  our  coast  that  has  been  so  over- 
whelming and  disastrous.  We  seem  to  see  this  party  of 
friends  of  olden  time  set  sail  taking  cheerful  leave  of  their 
homes  as  if  bound  on  a long  voyage,  for  then  it  was  a great 
undertaking  to  go  a little  distance.  The  day  to  them  is 
apparently  propitious:  they  set  sail  with  cheerful  hopes;  they 
soon  enter  our  bay  in  that  delightsome  season  of  the  year 
when  summer  is  about  to  mellow  into  autumn.  As  they  near 
the  wild  and  rugged  shore,  sweet  odors  are  wafted  o’er  the 
sea  and  for  aught  we  know  sweeter  incense  ascended  from 
their  hearts — of  prayer  and  praise,  that  God  would  grant  them 
a safe  and  prosperous  voyage:  when  suddenly  by  a mysterious 
providence,  they  are  overwhelmed  in  the  deep.  So  long  as 
the  sea  shall  roll  and  break  upon  our  shore,  so  long  shall  the 
death  of  these  early  navigators  be  commemorated. 

The  light-houses  on  this  island  (Thacher’s  Island)  were 
built  about  the  year  I77i,bythe  English.  Mr.  Rockwood, 
or  Kirkwood,  who  was  the  first  light-keeper,  was  forcibly 
removed  at  the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  by 
Capt.  Rogers’  company  of  minute  men,  of  Gloucester,  as  being 
hostile  to  the  patriotic  sentiments  of  the  town. 

Straitsmouth  Island  had  its  name  before  1699;  it  was  then 
granted  to  Capt.  James  Davis  of  Gloucester,  by  General  Court, 
as  the  record  says,  in  consideration  that  he  had  been  at  much 
charge  and  expense  in  the  late  war  with  the  French  and  Indian 
enemy,  and  spent  much  time  in  said  service.  Its  value  then, 
in  the  currency  of  1732,  was  225  pounds.  I further  remark 
in  regard  to  Thacher’s  Island — It  was  purchased  in  1714  by 
the  Rev.  John  White,  for  one  hundred  pounds;  he  sold  it  to 
Joseph  Allen,  in  1727,  for  177  pounds.  In  1771,  the  Colonial 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS , 


29 


Government  bought  it  at  five  hundred  pounds.  Milk  Island 
was  sold  in  1714,  by  Peter  Bennett,  to  Anthony  Bennett,  for 
47  pounds.  Capt.  John  Smith  called  these  islands  the  “Three 
Turks’  Heads,”  in  1614,  for  the  three  Turks  he  had  slain  in 
single  combat  in  Turkey.  This  name  was  soon  after  transferred 
to  hills  near  Agamenticus,  near  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  About 
1630,  Gov.  Winthrop,  in  his  journal,  speaks  of  these  hills  by 
this  name. 

Nothing  has  been  transmitted  to  us  respecting  the  origin  of 
the  term  Salvages.  In  1768,  tradition  says,  a schooner  was 
wrecked  here  and  all  lost. 

Before  any  settlement  took  place  here,  our  coasts,  as  tradition 
says,  were  frequently  visited  by  fishermen  from  Chebacco, 
Essex,  then  Ipswich,  particularly  at  Gap  Cove,  Loblolly 
Cove,  Pigeon  Cove  and  Long  Cove.  Perhaps  a company 
came  to  each  Cove.  At  these  Coyes  they  probably 
dressed  and  cured  their  fish,  having  some  temporary  shelter 
to  sleep  and  cook  in;  it  is  thought  they  followed  this  till  after 
1720.  Some  came  from  Gloucester  to  procure  wood  to  carry 
to  Boston.  With  the  exception  of  these  occasional  visits  for 
these  purposes,  this  .part  of  the  town  now  constituting  Rockport 
was  little  known.  For  long  years  this  territory  remained  a 
wild,  trackless  waste.  The  tenants  of  the  forest  roamed  and 
hunted  for  their  prey,  undisturbed.  No  sounds  of  human 
industry  were  heard  amid  these  solitudes  of  nature,  except 
occasionally  those  of  the  woodman’s  axe  near  the  shore,  or  at 
long  intervals  the  voice  of  the  lowly  fisherman  calling  to  his 
mate  from  his  frail  skiff. 

The  seasons  came  and  went  and  the  same  monotonous 
scenes  succeeded  each  other.  Grim  Winter  howled  around 
our  shores  and  shook  his  thick  and  fleecy  locks,  with  none  to 
witness  his  wild  career.  Jocund  Spring  with  her  balmy  breath 
warmed  into  birth  the  lonely  wild  flowers,  but  they  were  born 
to  blush  unseen  and  waste  their  sweetness  on  the  desert  air. 
Fervid  Summer  gathered  to  her  sylvan  bowers  the  happy 


30 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


birds  and  as  they  carolled  their  joyous  notes  no  human  ear 
was  there  to  be  charmed  by  their  melody.  Mellow  Autumn 
came,  all  russet  and  brown,  and  with  prodigal  profusion  for 
the  want  of  a garner  poured  back  into  the  bosom  of  mother 
earth  her  wild  treasures. 

But  soon  a change  comes  over  these  scenes.  The  town 
begins  to  act  in  relation  to  the  land  at  the  Cape,  at  first  cautiously 
voting  in  1668  that  no  lands  at  the  Cape  should  be  taken  up 
for  planting.  This  acted  as  a check  on  the  early  settlement 
of  the  Cape.  As  the  term  Commoners  is  occasionally  referred 
to,  it  may  be  well  to  remark  that  they  were  the  first  owners 
of  the  land  or  township,  to  whom  it  had  been  granted  by  Gov. 
Endicott.  They  acted  in  conjunction  with  the  town  in  making 
the  principal  divisions  of  the  land  till  about  1 704  when  they 
organized  into  a separate  body  of  about  130  persons  and  had 
liberty  to  record  their  doings  in  the  town  records.  They 
occasionally  granted  to  individuals  lots  of  land  for  different 
purposes.  When  they  sold  they  divided  the  proceeds  among 
themselves;  they  also  divided  land  among  themselves. 
Other  persons  became  Commoners  by  purchasing  a Com- 
moner’s freehold,  but,  in  1688,  the  town  voted  that  every 
householder  and  every  young  man  upwards  of  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  that  was  born  in  the  town  and  living  in  the  town, 
bearing  charges  to  the  town  and  county,  shall  have  six  acres 
of  land,  the  town  and  harbor  to  have  it  laid  out  at  the  Cape. 
Accordingly,  eighty-two  lots,  about  five  hundred  acres,  were 
laid  out,  beginning  at  Folly  Cove  and  extending  to  what  was 
called  Davison’s  Run,  being  the  brook  at  the  school-house 
beach  as  it  now  is.  These  lots  from  Pigeon  Cove  extended 
westerly  back  from  the  shore  about  eighty  rods^  . By  an  over- 
sight, as  it  appears,  the  town  forgot  to  lay  out  a road  around 
the  shore,  through  this  land,  and  hence,  in  1717,  the  town 
laid  out  the  road,  purchasing  the  land  from  the  owners,  for 
the  road.  Gates  were  kept  up  on  this  road  until  1800,  when 
the  town  voted  them  to  be  taken  down. 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


31 


The  earliest  grant  of  land  made  in  Sandy  Bay  was  about 
1662,  to  James  Babson  who  settled  at  the  Farms  Village.  The 
grant  consisted  of  ten  acres  of  upland  and  ten  acres  of  lowland, 
it  being  part  of  Beaver  Dam  farm. 

We  now  come  to  the  period  of  the  first  settlement  of  what 
is  now  called  Rockport,  then  Sandy  Bay.  In  1690,  according 
to  the  most  authentic  records  of  the  first  settler,  Richard  Tarr 
with  his  wife  and  two  children,  John  and  Richard,  who,  it  is 
supposed,  were  born  in  Marblehead,  moved  from  the  latter 
place  to  this  Cape.  As  there  is  no  record  of  these  children 
at  Marblehead,  it  remains  doubtful  where  they  were  born;  it 
is  conjectured  that  they  were  born  in  England  or  Wales.  Most 
of  his  children  were  born  after  1688  or  ’90.  Richard  Tarr 
was  taxed  for  the  first  time,  in  1693.  The  writer  is  of  the 
sixth  generation,  in  direct  descent,  in  the  following  order: — 
Richard  Tarr,  Benjamin  Tarr,  Benjamin  Tarr  Jr.,  Jabez  Tarr, 
Reggy  Tarr,  Lemuel  Gott,  son  of  Reggy  Tarr  (Gott). 

Richard  Tarr  built  his  log  cabin  just  to  the  westward  a 
short  distance  from  Benjamin  Knights’  house,  on  the  late  Dea. 
Reuben  Brooks’  land.  Some  of  the  old  remains,  such  as  a 
cellar,  were  in  existence  there  till  within  a few  years,  and 
perhaps  could  be  found  yet.  In  1697  he  had  liberty  from  the 
town  to  enclose  three  or  four  acres  where  his  house  stood, 
and  use  the  same  for  a few  years.  In  1701,  he  had  ten  acres 
granted  him  for  supporting  Arthur  Churchill  for  life.  He  also 
had  grants  afterwards.  In  a deed  of  Benjamin  Tarr,  dated 
July  1757,  allusion  is  made  to  one  of  these  grants  as  being 
granted  to  him  and  his  brothers,  William  and  Caleb,  as  it  was 
lately  to  his  father,  Richard,  to  secure  the  town  from  being 
at  town  charges  for  his  mother.  Richard  Tarr  made  his  will 
in  1 732,  but  it  seems  that  the  widow’s  income  was  not  sufficient 
for  her  support. 

In  1695,  John  Babson,  son  of  James  at  the  Farms,  had 
some  three  acres  of  land  granted  him  at  Straitsmouth,  for  an 
encouragement  to  set  up  fishing  there.  In  1699,  he  had 


32 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


another  grant  of  six  acres.  It  is  supposed  this  Babson  built 
the  first  house  at  the  bend  of  the  cove  at  the  North  side,  about 
this  time  or  soon  after,  but  this  is  doubtful;  perhaps  it  was 
built  by  the  subsequent  owners  of  the  land  soon  after.  Tradition 
says  the  Chebacco  fishermen  made  Straitsmouth  cove  a harbor 
very  early,  and  that  some  of  the  small  boats  were  built  in  the 
garret  of  the  house  or  houses  and  launched  from  thence.  It 
is  supposed  that  Babson  sold  out  to  Ipswich  parties  in  1721. 
This  Babson  had  afterwards,  in  1 707,  some  nine  acres  granted 
him  in  addition. 

It  is  about  this  time  that  tradition  says  Bear  Skin  Neck 
received  its  name.  The  story  runs  thus:  Henry  Witham, 

when  aged,  born  in  1695,  used  to  relate  that  Ebenezer  Babson 
who  then  resided  at  the  Farms  was  going  on  to  the  point  alone 
when  he  unexpectedly  encountered  a bear.  Not  having  any 
gun  he  stepped  into  the  water  and  seeing  the  bear  approaching 
him,  he  gave  battle  with  his  knife  and  finally  mastered  him; 
he  skinned  him  and  spread  his  skin  on  the  rocks  to  dry.  The 
old  man,  thinking  his  uncle  had  done  a great  exploit,  used  to 
reply,  when  asked  how  Babson  killed  the  bear;  “With  his 
knife,  I do  declare!”  This  was  current  tradition  in  the 
Witham  family. 

In  1699  John  Day  had  a grant  of  land  from  Loblolly  Cove 
to  Emmon’s  Point.  He  was  to  give  sixty  pounds  for  it.  William 
Cogswell  of  Chebacco  bought,  in  1704,  Day’s  land  and  an 
addition  to  it  of  the  town.  He  is  supposed  to  have  built  a 
house  there  to  accommodate  the  fishermen  of  Chebacco. 

The  common  belief  is  that  John  Pool  was  the  second 
permanent  settler  of  our  town,  in  the  year  1 7 00.  He  was  a 
native  of  England,  came  to  Beverly  about  1690,  married  the 
widow  of  Richard  Woodbury  with  whom  he  worked  as  a 
carpenter,  moved  here  in  the  autumn,  first  living  in  a shanty 
near  what  is  now  William  Witham’s  house  on  the  bank,  soon 
built  his  house  on  the  site  of  the  John  Haskins’  house.  The 
former  was  taken  down  when  the  Haskins’  house  was  built, 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


33 


1802.  Mr.  Pool  purchased  his  first  land  of  John  Emerson 
Jr.,  son  of  the  minister  of  Gloucester,  and  paid  one  hundred 
and  sixty  pounds,  at  a place  called  in  the  record  “ye  Cape,” 
near  Davison’s  run  or  neck.  Emerson  was  the  original 
grantor  in  1688  and  erected  a house  on  it,  whose  occupant,  if 
it  had  any,  is  not  known. 

His  son  John  had  a house  on  the  western  end  of  these 
premises;  this  was  small  and  was  used  by  his  slaves,  of  which 
he  had  several.  The  cellar  of  this  house  is  now  in  existence, 
but  was  covered  up  by  Haskins  when  he  built  his  house. 

John  Pool,  senior,  built  the  first  framed  house,  the  first  saw 
mill  and  first  vessel  in  Sandy  Bay.  He  supplied  the  builders 
of  Long  wharf,  Boston,  in  1710,  with  several  sloop  loads  of 
hemlock  timber,  one  of  his  sons  being  one  of  the  crew.  He 
became  a large  landed  proprietor:  his  estate  at  his  death  was 
appraised  at  $9,000.  As  early  as  1703,  he  was  drawn  as  a 
juryman  to  attend  court  at  Salem.  In  1701,  he  and  Thomas 
Witham  had  Davison’s  Run  granted  them  to  set  up  a saw 
mill.  This  mill  was  built  on  the  stream  where  the  present 
Manning  grist  mill  stands,  and  afterwards  John  Pool  2d.  built 
a grist  mill  near  the  same  place.  The  old  dam  above  where 
Dea.  Rowe  owned  a_grist  mill  was  also  built  at  a very  early 
day.  The  old  dam  is  just  seen  near  Lambbank  Hill,  which 
was  erected  for  the  purpose  of  holding  reserve  water. 

John  Pool  died  in  1727,  aged  57  years,  and  was  buried  on 
his  own  land,  now  owned  by  Dea.  Thomas  Giles,  at  the  head  of 
King  Street.  His  stone  still  remains  and  also  part  of  the 
stone  of  one  of  his  wives,  of  which  he  had  four.  The  broken 
stone  is  so  much  injured  as  to  render  it  impossible  to  learn 
anything  from  it.  All  his  wives  were  buried  here  and  their 
graves  were  originally  marked  by  stones. 

Mr.  Pool  married  for  his  fourth  wife  a widow  lady  of  Rowley. 
This  marriage  had  something  of  the  romantic  about  it.  His 
first  visit  having  been  rejected  by  the  lady,  on  further  reflection 
she  was  induced  to  encourage  the  return  of  his  addresses. 


34 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


The  fruits  of  this  marriage  were  one  son  and  two  daughters; 
the  son  was  the  first  born,  and  to  indulge  her  romantic  fancy 
in  commemorating  the  return  of  her  husband’s  addresses,  she 
caused  the  babe  to  be  named  Return. 

In  1 708,  Peter  Bennett  was  living  in  a log  cabin  near  Pebble- 
stone Beach,  at  the  west  of  the  Witham  or  Grover  pond:  the 
cellar  is  now  there,  the  same  on  which  Saunders  Witham 
house  was  built.  He  soon  afterward  moved  away  to  George- 
town, Maine.  None  of  his  descendants  settled  here.  Peter 
Emmons,  at  the  same  time,  lived  near  Loblolly  Cove  in  a log 
cabin.  The  cellar  was  in  existence  till  within  fifty  years,  and 
the  place  is  now  known  to  Asa  Todd.  The  point  took  its 
name  from  Emmons.  He  and  Peter  Bennett  are  said  to  have 
pastured  cows  on  Milk  Island,  at  this  time,  and  hence  the 
name.  Nothing  more  is  known  of  Emmons. 

About  1718,  we  hear  of  Edmund  Grover  from  Beverly 
settling  here,  taking  the  Bennett  house  near  the  beach.  He  was 
a weaver  by  trade  and  purchased  land.  This  house,  according 
to  Henry  Witham,  was  moved  away  from  its  first  locality 
and  after  several  moves  became  the  Henry  Witham  house. 

In  1708,  the  town  laid  out  the  road  from  old  town  parish 
to  the  back  side  of  the  Cape  to  the  seaside,  from  Sandy  Bay 
Cove  to  the  house  of  John  Pool.  This  road  was  laid  out  from 
the  old  burying  place,  easterly  by  Richard  Tarr’s  land,  thence 
as  the  road  now  is,  on  towards  the  harbor.  Roads  to  the 
landings  and  around  by  the  Long  Beach  to  the  Farms  were 
laid  out  in  1708.  Also  the  land  from  Allen’s  Head  to  the 
Great  Pond,  on  to  Cape  Hedge,  was  laid  out  at  this  time, 
comprising  about  800  acres,  into  6,  8,  10  acre  lots,  being  122 
lots.  Each  man  who  was  considered  a common  proprietor 
had  one  lot.  Soon  after,  these  lots  were  principally  bought 
up  by  some  eight  persons.  The  purchasers  were,  Allen  (hence 
Allen’s  Head),  Pulcifer,  Pool,  Jabez  Baker,  Henry  Witham, 
Elder  Edmund  Grover,  Thomas  Harris.  In  1722,  1500  acres 
more  were  laid  out,  about  ninety-four  lots  being  the  remainder 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


35 


of  the  land.  The  whole  laid  out  at  three  different  times  was 
about  6y±  square  miles,  about  4000  acres  in  the  whole  territory, 
including  ponds,  marshes,  and  the  Great  Pond  containing 
about  seventy  acres.  This  pond,  at  this  time,  had  an  outlet  at 
the  south-west.  It  was  some  higher  than  at  present;  there  is 
an  appearance  of  its  having  been  banked  up  on  the  northern 
part.  The  water  ran  to  the  south-west  and  carrier  a saw  mill. 
This  mill  was  afterwrard  removed  to  the  southern  woods  and 
constituted  what  was  called  the  old  saw  mill,  the  dam  of  which 
yet  remains.  Here  were  also  one  or  more  tanyards  not  far  from 
the  upper  end  of  the  pond,  wnich  received  their  water  from  this 
pond.  Quite  early,  also,  a house  was  erected  near  the  upper 
end  of  the  Stacy’s  pines,  close  by  the  marshy  land,  by  one 
Witham,  and  a saw  mill  also;  the  remnants  of  the  dam  are 
yet  to  be  seen. 

In  1716,  Pigeon  Cove  road  was  laid  out  to  John  Pool’s 
bridge.  It  was  about  this  time  that  John  Davis  was  warned 
out  of  town,  supposed  to  be  lest  he  should  become  a share- 
holder in  the  property,  not  being  entitled  legally  to  a share, 
not  having  been  born  in  town.  As  early  as  1707,  Mr.  Samuel 
Gott  owned  land  at  the  Cape,  near  Flat  Stone  Cove  and  to 
eastward  of  Lane’s  Gove;  also  Joshua  Norwood  was  living  to 
the  north-west  of  Pigeon  Cove.  Tradition  says  that  about 
this  time  a person  by  the  name  of  Gallup  came  to  the  Folly 
Cove  and  set  up  boiling  salt  water  for  making  salt  which  the 
Chebacco  fishermen  purchased.  He  built  a wharf  of  logs 
which  the  tide  soon  washed  away,  hence  the  name  Gallup’s 
Folly.  It  is  supposed  that  Samuel  Gott,  whose  son  John 
settled  in  Sandy  Bay  in  1750  and  who  was  my  great  grandfather, 
Joshua  Norwood  and  Daniel  Marchant  were  the  first  families 
that  settled  at  North  Village.  Samuel  Gott  settled  near  the 
late  David  Babson’s  farm;  his  house  is  now  standing,  where 
his  great  grandson  now  lives;  he  was  grandfather  of  the 
Joshua  Gott  who  died*  there  in  1846,  aged  92  years,  and  the 

*This  record  may  not  be  exactly  correct,  respecting  the  Gotts. 


36 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


father  of  the  writer’s  great  grandfather,  John,  who  settled  here 
about  1754,  as  above.  John  bought  land  of  John  Pool  here, 
3 y2  acres,  in  1756.  Previous  to  1750  there  were  nine  houses 
in  Pigeon  Cove:  Woodbury,  Marchant,  Andrews,  Gott,  two 
Norwoods,  two  Wheelers,  Dodge,  owners.  About  1716, 
Jabez  Baker  and  John  Wonson  settled  here.  Jabez  Baker,  Jr., 
owned  the  Joseph  Smith  farm.  Thomas  Harris,  Jonathan 
Pool,  Ebenezer  Pool,  Henry  Witham,  Edmund  Grover,  settled 
on  their  farms  about  1720  to  1730. 

The  third  house  built  at  the  South  End  was  Edmund 
Grover’s  about  where  the  old  Oakes  house  now  stands.  It 
was  here  in  later  times  that  the  young  people  used  to  have 
their  social  gatherings  and  parties  of  amusement,  and  the  older 
people  often  assembled  to  gossip  away  the  long  winter  evenings, 
in  quilting,  knitting  and  singing  and  perhaps  in  other  diversions. 

Other  houses  were,  John  Grover’s,  built  by  Nehemiah, 
Henry  Witham’s  where  widow  Aaron  Pool  lives,  Ebenezer 
Grover’s,  Francis  Pool’s,  Ebenezer  Lurvey’s,  Ephraim 
Sheldon’s,  the  Hero  house,  Joseph  Lane’s,  Samuel  Clark’s, 
Joshua  Gammage’s,  John  Gott’s,  etc.,  there  being  about  thirty 
houses  in  1750  scattered  over  the  town;  some  were  log-houses. 
In  1720  John  Wonson  had  a house  lot  granted  him.  In  1725 
Thomas  and  John  Allen  had  fourteen  acres  set  off  to  them, 
near  Long  Cove. 

Now  Richard  Tarr  and  John  Pool  had  sons  married.  In 
1724,  we  hear  for  the  first  time  the  note  of  preparation  for  a 
school-house:  up  to  this  time,  what  little  instruction  was  had 
was  in  the  families.  John  Pool,  says  tradition,  had  sent  his 
eldest  son,  Jonathan,  to  Beverly  to  obtain  some  education  to 
teach  the  other  members  of  the  family.  Jabez  Baker,  Samuel 
Davis,  and  others,  petition  the  town  for  a grant  of  land  to 
build  a school-house  upon.  Old  Puritans  as  they  are  they 
begin  to  think  they  cannot  do  without  education.  It  is  to  be 
remembered  to  the  credit  of  our  ancestors  that  a goodly 
number  of  the  first  settlers  were  religious  people,  recognizing 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


37 


the  hand  of  God  in  all  their  undertakings.  This  was  especially 
true  of  the  most  influential,  for  years.  The  Commoners 
granted  them  an  acre  of  land  near  the  centre  of  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Sandy  Bay  for  a school-house  to  be  erected  thereon, 
to  be  kept  for  the  purposes  of  education  and  morality.  The 
house  was  erected  in  1725:  the  precise  spot  is  not  known,  but 
somewhere  in  the  rear  of  the  land  known  as  the  Parish  land 
and  on  a part  of  which  stands  the  Congregational  meeting- 
house. It  seems  by  action  of  the  parish  the  house  was  erected 
on  the  land  which  the  parish  afterwards  granted  to  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Cleaveland.  When  he  came  into  possession,  the 
parish  voted  in  1766  that  the  school-house  be  removed  by 
the  parish  paying  their  part  of  the  re-building.  It  seems  by 
this  that  it  was  removed  from  its  original  site  and  re-built  at 
this  time.  In  imagination  I seem  to  see  these  few  settlers 
assembling  in  their  humble  dwellings  and  deliberating  on  the 
mighty  enterprise  in  which  they  are  about  to  engage,  the  erect- 
ion a house  for  purposes  of  educating  their  children  to  meet 
the  exigencies  that  are  opening  before  them.  They  nerve 
themselves  for  the  task,  levy  their  contributions,  make  their 
contracts,  and  speedily  the  mighty  structure  goes  up  and  is 
completed,  the  wonder  of  the  neighborhood.  The  old,  the 
young,  gather  about  it  to  admire  and  gaze  upon  its  beautiful 
proportions.  It  forms  an  epoch  in  their  history,  and  may  we 
not  suppose  from  the  disposition  of  their  hearts  they  assembled 
beneath  its  humble  roof,  old  men  and  matrons,  young  men 
and  maidens,  and  with  devout  hearts  dedicated  it  to  the  cause 
of  godly  education.  It  is  not  known  who  was  the  first  teacher 
but  it  is  highly  probable  that  the  young  man  before  referred 
to  was  honored  with  this  office.  This  was  the  only  school-house 
for  twenty-five  or  thirty  years.  It  was  here,  probably,  the 
people  met  to  do  their  business.  It  stood  in  its  original 
position  till  taken  down,  as  above  alluded  to,  in  1766,  by  act 
of  the  parish,  and  re-erected  on  the  western  part  of  the  lot 
near  the  main  street,  near  the  lower  end  of  the  present  Capt. 


38 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


Josiah  Haskell’s  front  yard,  where  it  stood  till  the  autumn  of 
1797. 

About  this  time  of  which  we  are  writing,  1728,  or  a few 
years  after,  about  thirty  or  forty  families  were  visited  with  the 
throat  distemper  which  proved  very  fatal.  About  thirty-one 
children  were  taken  from  their  dear  parents.  Then  the 
population  did  not  exceed  one  hundred  and  forty  persons; 
more  than  one-fifth  were  laid  low  in  death.  Lamentation 
and  mourning  were  then  heard  in  nearly  every  dwelling,  some 
families  losing  several  children.  This  disease  prevailed  in 
other  parts  of  New  England  with  a similar  mortality. 

In  the  first  parish  records  of  Gloucester  we  find  that  in  1737 
Mr.  Benjamin  Tarr  and  others  petition  the  parish  for  assistance 
to  sustain  preaching.  They  refuse  to  grant  it  till  1 740,  when 
the  parish  grants  them  liberty  to  have  a preacher  for  the  three 
winter  months,  the  expense  to  be  paid  by  the  first  parish, 
Rev.  Mr.  White’s  society.  Rev.  Moses  Parsons  was  employed 
and  preached  here  the  winters  of  1740  and  ’44,  at  a salary  of 
£26  old  tenor.  He  afterward  settled  at  Byfield  and  was  the 
father  of  Theophilus  Parsons,  the  distinguished  Chief  Justice. 

In  1743,  or  thereabouts,  the  second  settlement  takes  place 
at  Gap  Cove.  Joshua  Norwood  settles  there,  supposed  to 
occupy  the  house  previously  occupied  by  Jolfn  Babson  at  the 
bend  of  the  cove,  in  1694  having  a grant  of  three  or  four 
acres  of  land  at  the  cove  as  Babson  had  before  him.  Here 
old  Joshua  died;  some  years  afterward  his  sons  Joshua  and 
Caleb  built  the  other  two  houses,  Joshua  on  the  west  in  the 
pasture,  Caleb  on  the  north-west  point;  the  cellars  are  now  to 
be  seen.  Andrew  Clark’s  house,  on  the  corner  of  Mt.  Pleasant 
St.  and  Atlantic  Avenue,  according  to  tradition,  is  the  house 
built  by  Caleb  and  removed  to  its  present  position  about  eighty 
years  ago.  William  Choate  owned  the  one  which  stood  about 
south-west  from  the  bend  of  the  cove,  a little  back,  and  occupied 
it  where  he  now  lives,  till  he  built  the  house  he  now  lives  in. 
This  house  was  moved  by  Thomas  Robarts  about  seventy 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


39 


years  ago,  and  was  owned  by  several  persons  before  Choate. 

The  old  man  Joshua  Norwood  with  his  family,  it  is  said, 
moved  here  from  Attleboro,  Mass.,  he  having  moved  there 
from  Pigeon  Cove.  Two  of  his  sons,  Stephen  and  Caleb,  were 
born  in  Attleboro.  Caleb  was  a child  when  his  father  settled 
at  Gap  Cove.  This  Caleb,  William  Norwood’s  father,  was  the 
one  who,  according  to  tradition,  found  the  pot  of  gold.  He 
found  the  gold  in  Mr.  Francis  Pool’s  land,  before  the  war  of 
1776,  at  the  south  of  the  gully.  It  was  uncoined  gold  in  one 
ounce  pieces.  He  is  said  to  have  shared  it  with  Mr.  Pool; 
the  value  is  not  known,  but  thought  to  have  been  high.  Mr. 
Jabez  Tarr,  the  old  Revolutionary  soldier,  the  writer’s  grand- 
father, safd  he  saw  one  piece  of  the  gold  in  ingot.  Tradition 
further  says  that  the  ingots  were  exchanged  for  depreciated 
paper  money,  turned  into  the  state  treasury  and  received  state 
securities  on  interest  which  brought  $1.10  per  day  until 
redeemed  by  the  state.  The  second  wife  of  Norwood  is  said 
to  have  had  a ring  made  of  this  gold. 

In  those  early  times,  money  diggers  were  often  engaged  in 
exploring  wild  and  solitary  places  on  the  coast,  in  search  of 
money.  Tradition  says  they  came  here  from  a distance,  with 
their  mineral  rods,  and  generally  going  away  in  the  night.  It 
is  not  known  that  any  more  money  was  found.  In  later  times, 
some  of  our  modern  people  have  visited  the  place  where  the 
pot  of  money  is  said  to  have  been  found,  and  dug.  These 
mysterious  meetings  were  generally  held  in  secret  and  in  the 
night  and  no  person  was  allowed  to  speak  during  the  digging 
lest  if  they  got  hold  of  the  bale  of  the  pot  it  should  escape 
out  of  their  hands,  as  it  is  said  it  was  wont  to  do  by  some 
mysterious  agency. 

There  is  an  old  tradition  that  some  one  hundred  years  ago 
two  young  women  coming  up  from  the*  shore,  having  been 
saved  from  a wreck,  fell  into  the  Gully  and  were  killed. 

From  time  to  time  we  find  frequent  reference  to  parish 
matters  in  the  records  of  the  first  parish  of  Gloucester,  pertaining 


40 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS . 


to  preaching  at  “ye  Cape,”  as  follows.  Parish  meeting  March 
14th.  1737  to  know  whether  the  Parish  will  grant  liberty  to 
the  people  of  the  Cape  to  hire  a minister  the  three  winter 
months  annually.  Vote  in  the  negative.  July  28th.  1738, 
Chose  a committee  to  make  answer  to  the  Great  and  General 
Court  to  the  petition  of  Benjamin  Tarr  and  others  relating  to 
their  having  granted  out  of  the  parish  treasury  the  fourth 
part  of  what  they  pay  to  the  parish  yearly,  to  enable  them  to 
maintain  a minister  among  them  the  three  winter  months  at 
“ye  Cape.”  Voted,  That  Capt.  Andrew  Robinson  be  agent  to 
represent  the  parish,  why  said  petition  should  not  be  granted. 
June  9th,  1740,  Voted,  Whereas  Ebenezer  Grover  has 
represented  to  this  meeting,  that  he  has  paid  his  proportion 
towards  the  supporting  a minister  at  “ye  Cape”  whereof  he  is 
an  inhabitant,  the  three  winter  months  last  winter,  Voted, 
unanimously,  that  he  be  allowed  one  quarter  part  of  the  parish 
rate  he  paid  last  year,  out  of  the  parish  treasury.  July  2d. 
1 740,  Met  to  make  an  allowance  that  shall  be  that  proportion 
to  the  inhabitants  of  “ye  Cape”  for  having  a minister  to  preach 
to  them  some  part  of  the  year.  Voted,  The  Cape  be  allowed 
one  third  part  of  rate  provided  they  maintain  preaching  among 
them  four  months  of  the  year,  and  the  committee  see  that  it  be 
fulfilled.  1740,  Grant  them  forty  shillings  per  Sabbath,  three 
months.  Cape  petition,  1 749,  to  be  set  off,  by  Edmund  Grover 
and  others.  Not  granted.  1750,  Inhabitants  of  the  Cape 
released  for  two  years  of  parish  tax  provided  they  maintain  a 
gospel  minister  among  them  all  that  term.  March  1 2th,  1753, 
Voted,  To  set  off  the  Cape,  agreeable  to  petition  of  Edmund 
Grover  and  others. 

In  1743,  business  increasing  and  the  fishermen  needing 
some  more  convenient  harbor,  for  larger  craft  and  safety,  than 
Long  Cove,  Eben’r.  Pool,  John  Pool  and  Benjamin  Tarr  petition 
for  a grant  to  build  a wharf  at  the  Whirlpool,  so  called.  This 
was  granted  by  the  Commoners. 

This  was  the  first  wharf  built  of  timber  and  stone.  Each 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS . 


4i 


of  these  persons  had  a store  lot  granted  them,  near  the  Whirl- 
pool. In  1 746,  Eben’r.  Pool  had  a lot  to  the  south-west  of 
the  first  grant  for  a wharf,  the  first  wharf  being  built  just 
inside  the  present  old  wharf.  Mr.  Pool  built  a wharf  on  his 
grant,  about  where  the  middle  wharf  now  stands.  These  two 
wharves  made  quite  a safe  dock  while  they  stood,  leaving  an 
entrance  of  about  seventy-five  feet.  Here  the  two  bank 
schooners  that  were  owned  here  found  for  awhile  a convenient 
harbor  when  at  home  in  the  fishing  season.  In  a few  years 
these  wharves  were  out  of  repair.  The  first  one  was  repaired 
and  had  a timber  breakwater  built  up  at  the  back  of  it.  The 
other  one  was  taken  up.  The  first  one  by  1 800  was  quite 
useless.  From  the  earliest  times  the  practice  of  drawing  the 
fishing  boats  upon  the  beach,  for  protection  during  the  winter, 
was  observed  and  continued  till  about  1840,  when  the 
wharves  were  built  in  Long  Cove.  From  two  to  four  bankers 
were  fitted  out  here  annually  till  the  war  of  1775.  One  of 
them  was  lost  on  Sable  Island  when  Elder  Samuel  Davis  had 
one  son  lost.  The  names  of  the  four  bankers  owned  here  in 
1775  were  the  Morning  Star,  the  Rising  Sun,  Friendship  and 
the  Little  John,  so  says  tradition. 

In  consequence  of  land  being  cheap  and  the  fishing  business 
carried  on  here,  several  families  moved  hereabout  1750,  some 
from  Annisquam,  out  of  town,  up  town  and  Farms  Village. 
Then  there  were  about  thirty-five  or  forty  houses  in  this 
village  and  six  or  more  at  Pigeon  Cove;  about  fifty  families, 
including  Pigeon  Cove  population  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty.  About  this  time,  John  Rowe  kept  tavern  in  his  house, 
now  standing,  lately  occupied  by  Isaac  Rowe,  his  son.  Elder 
John  Davis  also  kept  tavern  in  his  house  which  stood  about 
where  the  house  recently  owned  by  Samuel  Mcjannett  stands. 
This  tavern  was  the  great  resort  of  some  of  the  old  men  of 
that  day,  where  they  used  to  spend  their  evenings  in  social 
conversation  and  according  to  the  usages  of  the  times  they 
would  have  the  mug  of  flip  passed  around,  each  one  in  turn 


42 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


calling  for  his  “button.”  This  was  the  fourpence,  so  called 
because  sometimes  used  as  a button.  It  was  said  to  be  their 
invariable  rule  to  go  home  at  nine  o’clock. 

These  were  the  first  public  houses.  In  1775,  the  Sheldon 
house,  which  stood  where  Washington  Tarr’s  store  stands, 
was  kept  as  a public  house  by  Ebenezer  Rowe.  It  was  there 
in  its  glory  under  the  name  of  Punch  Bowl  Tavern,  because 
on  the  top  of  the  signpost  was  the  sign  of  a punch-bowl.  It 
was  here  the  jolly  fishermen  held,  according  to  the  custom  of 
the  times,  their  rendezvous  and  with  frolic  and  mirth  drove 
dull  care  away.  Capt.  Mark  Pool  kept  tavern  long  after  the 
war,  in  his  own  house  formerly  standing  near  Levi  Sewall’s 
house.  A Mr.  Marsh  also  kept  tavern  in  Jabez  Tarr’s  house, 
about  sixty  years  ago;  Jabez  Rowe  also,  as  late  as  1810.  In 
later  years,  Samuel  Huston  for  many  years  in  the  house  now 
occupied  by  Reuben  Brooks;  later  still,  Aaron  Gidding  in  the 
Mcjannett  house,  and  Capt.  Josiah  Haskell  in  the  present  tavern 

Here  I am  tempted  to  go  back  a little  to  1750  or  thereabouts 
and  relate  briefly  the  story  of  the  shooting  of  the  porcupine. 
It  is  related  of  one  of  the  Pools,  who  was  of  gigantic  stature 
and  .distinguished  also  for  physical  strength  as  well  as  remark- 
able courage,  that  at  one  time  on  the  Sabbath  he  and  his  wife 
mounted  the  horse  to  go  to  meeting  some  five  miles  away. 
On  leaving,  direction  was  given  their  daughter  Lucy,  then  in 
her  teens,  to  prepare  dinner  against  their  return,  of  meat, 
vegetables  and  the  accustomed  pudding.  Lucy  executes  the 
order  with  her  usual  fidelity  and  when  dinner  is  done,  pot 
taken  off  and  the  cover  removed,  she  steps  out  doors  a little 
way  to  see  if  her  parents  are  coming,  and  she  picks  a few 
berries,  when  she  discovers  her  parents  in  the  distance.  She 
hastens  to  the  kitchen  and  passing  in  sees  a certain  animal 
that  has  the  liberty  of  the  yard,  coming  out  of  the  house.  She 
takes  up  her  dinner  and  to  her  astonishment  the  Indian  pudding, 
bag  and  all  are  gone.  She  looks  in  vain  for  the  pudding  and 
gives  up  the  search,  saying  to  her  mother,  when  asked  for  an 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


43 


explanation,  that  it  is  a mystery.  Next  morning,  her  mother 
in  clearing  up  the  house  sweeps  under  the  bed.  To  her  surprise 
she  sees  a strange  thing  there,  covered  with  down  and  dirt. 
Quick  as  thought,  suspecting  some  wild  animal  there,  she 
summons  her  good  old  man  to  shoot  the  varmint.  The  old 
gentleman  on  enquiry  pronounces  it  a porcupine,  and  taking 
down  his  old  gun  which  had  served  well  in  many  an  encounter, 
lifts  the  quilt,  takes  aim  and  lets  drive  into  the  varmint,  and 
behold  it  is  the  lost  pudding.  The  old  gentleman,  not  knowing 
of  the  loss,  asked  Lucy  to  explain.  She  replied  that  she 
supposed  piggy  had  rooted  it  under  the  bed,  it  being  too  hot 
for  him  to  eat.  Lucy  was  some  years  after  married  to  James 
Tarr,  and  often  told  the  story  of  shooting  the  porcupine. 

The  physical  powers  ascribed  here  to  Mr.  Pool  were  not  in 
fact  designed  to  apply  to  him,  but  to  Mr.  Benjamin  Tarr  who, 
if  half  of  the  stories  were  true,  was  the  Goliath  of  his  day;  for 
it  was  related  that  he  lifted  an  anchor  weighing  eight  hundred 
pounds,  and  logs  which  a yoke  of  oxen  could  hardly  draw, 
and  performed  other  feats  of  strength  which  were  marvellous. 

We  now  arrive  at  an  interesting  epoch  in  our  history.  Until 
now,  1753,  the  people  had  been  without  any  house  of  public 
worship,  except  as  they  met  from  time  to  time  in  their  little 
log  school-house,  for  this  purpose.  But  now  they  begin  to 
feel  more  than  ever  the  want  of  a Christian  ministry  and  the 
necessity  of  better  accommodations  for  the  public  worship  of 
God.  It  would  be  interesting  if  we  would  go  back  to  that 
early  period  and  bring  to  light  the  principal  transactions  of 
that  day,  relating  to  the  erection  of  the  house.  It  is  to  be 
remembered  that  from  the  first  settlement  of  the  village  till  the 
meeting-house  was  built,  the  old  folks  and  young  folks  used 
to  attend  meeting  at  Gloucester  first  parish.  The  husband 
and  wife  would  ride  on  horseback  and  the  young  folks  that 
were  able  would  walk.  Some  did  this  even  after  the  house 
was  built  and  there  was  preaching  here,  occasionally  going 
to  Annisquam,  and  after  the  settlement  of  the  minister,  Rev. 


44 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


Ebenezer  Cleaveland,  the  people  used  to  go  to  ’Squam  for, 
agreeable  to  a vote  of  the  parish,  Mr.  Cleaveland  preached 
there  part  of  the  time  for  different  years.  The  building  of  the 
meeting-house  was  well  calculated  to  awaken  a deep  interest 
in  the  people  of  the  village.  It  was  the  great  event  of  the  day: 
the ’most  sagacious  and  experienced  citizens  then  assembled 
and  talked  over  the  enterprise.  There  were  the  grey-headed 
men  who  had  laid  the  foundations  of  the  village — some  of  the 
aged  had  already  lain  down  in  their  graves,  without  being 
permitted  to  participate  in  this  undertaking  which  they  had 
doubtless  long  anticipated.  The  survivors  felt  that  they  must 
soon  go  to  their  long  home;  they  wished  not  to  close  their  eyes 
on  things  below,  till  they  had  erected  a house  to  the  praise  of 
God.  The  Tarrs,  Pools,  Grovers,  the  Rowes,  the  Withams, 
were  there  to  counsel  and  advise.  It  seems  that,  according  to 
the  statement  of  Mr.  John  Haskins  born  in  1771,  he  was  told 
in  his  younger  days  that  the  people  of  this  village  and  Annis- 
quam  had  serious  thoughts  of  building  a meeting-house  to  be 
owned  in  common,  and  that  the  timber  was  drawn  to  the  place 
which  was  to  be  its  site,  viz:  Ginger-bread  Hill  in  ’Squam 
woods.  He  saw  the  timber  there,  when  a boy.  This  project 
was  afterwards  abandoned.  In  those  days  the  larger  part  of 
the  wealth  was  in  the  southerly  part  of  the  village  but  most 
of  the  people  were  near  the  centre.  It  appears  that  entire 
harmony  as  regards  the  location  of  the  house  was  not  secured 
for  it  is  the  current  tradition  of  the  time  that,  after  it  was  framed 
near  where  the  Mt.  Pleasant  house  now  stands,  it  was  removed 
in  the  night  time  and  carried  where  it  finally  stood,  near  the 
house  of  Mr.  Samuel  H.  Brooks,  on  the  village  land  easterly, 
near  the  Baptist  meeting-house.  This  was  the  work  of  the 
majority.  In  the  parish  records  of  the  time,  it  was  voted,  To 
see  if  the  parish  will  raise  a committee  to  treat  with  Jabez 
Baker  concerning  the  removal  of  the  meeting-house  from 
Smith’s  pasture  to  the  place  where  it  now  stands.  This  Smith 
is  supposed  to  be  Rev.  Aaron  Smith  who  lived  out  of  town 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


45 


and  previously  owned  the  land  in  the  vicinity  of  where  the 
Mt.  Pleasant  house  now  stands.  A committee  of  three  was 
raised  for  this  purpose  and  probably  adjusted  all  differences. 

This  meeting-house  finally  went  up  for  good.  It  was  about 
thirty-six  feet  square,  two  stories  high,  with  a porch  in  front 
which  was  towards  the  south.  There  were  eighteen  pews 
only.  There  were  seats  in  the  body  of  the  house,  for  the  old 
men  and  the  old  women,  galliers  and  seats  for  the  singers  in 
the  gallery  fronting  the  pulpit  which  had  a sounding-board, 
just  above.  The  hour-glass  was  also  provided  for  the  minister 
to  measure  time.  There  was  one  seat  for  colored  people,  who 
were  slaves  till  after  the  Revolutionary  War.  The  size  of  the 
lot  was  four  rods  and  four  feet  by  seven  rods  and  seven  and 
one-half  feet,  one  rod  porch  lot  and  six  rods  by  the  road.  Near 
the  eastern  corner  was  the  horse-block  where  the  gentlemen 
and  ladies  used  to  mount  their  horses.  We  seem  to  see  the 
prancing  and  curveting  of  those  gay  nags  as  their  riders  vault 
upon  their  backs  to  seek  their  homes.  It  was  customary  for 
man  and  woman  to  ride  the  same  horse. 

In  the  services  of  the  house,  the  deacon  was  accustomed  to 
sit  under  the  pulpit  and  deacon  off  the  hymn  one  line  at  a 
time.  In  1767,  they  adopted  Dr.  Watt’s  Psalms  and  Hymns. 
Capt.  Young  and  Thomas  Dresser  were  head  singers.  They 
had  no  music  bookTrom  which  to  learn  to  sing,  but  were  guided 
by  the  ear,  principally.  The  old  deacon  (as  the  story  goes) 
having  a large  nose,  would  pitch  the  tune  and  hold  on  to  his 
nose  till  he  got  the  right  pitch.  But  let  it  not  be  thought  that 
we  would  disparage  the  manner  of  our  fathers’  worship.  They 
are  to  be  judged  by  the  customs  of  their  times.  God  looks 
upon  the  heart  and  not  upon  the  outward  appearances. 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Cleaveland  was  their  first  permanent  minister. 
He  came  here  in  1752,  with  his  family,  from  Canterbury, 
Conn.  Tradition  says  he  preached  a short  time  in  Essex 
before  he  came  here.  It  was  doubtless  through  his  influence, 
in  a great  measure,  that  the  people  were  induced  to  undertake 


46 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


the  erection  of  this  house.  It  was  not  finished  until  several 
years  after.  The  minister’s  first  salary  was  sixty  pounds  per 
annum;  some  years  it  was  higher.  In  1754,  the  first  day  of 
January,  one  hundred  years  yesterday,  the  village  of  Sandy 
Bay  was  incorporated  in  answer  to  a petition  to  the  General 
Provincial  Court;  soon  after,  it  was  set  off  after  the  manner  of 
parishes,  by  meets  and  bounds.  In  Dec.  1755,  Rev.  Ebenezer 
Cleaveland  was  ordained  as  pastor.  The  church  was  organized 
Feb.  13th.  1755,  with  ten  members  from  the  first  church.  By 
vote  of  the  parish,  Oct.  31st.,  Samuel  Davis  Jr’s,  house  is  to 
be  the  house  to  entertain  the  ministers  and  messengers  by  the 
parish,  and  Mr.  Davis  is  to  have  ten  shillings  old  tenor  paid 
him  for  each  man,  and  Mr.  Francis  Pool  was  required  by  vote 
to  procure  a cushion  for  the  pulpit,  against  the  ordination. 
The  salary  was  to  be  sixty  pounds,  excluding  the  frame  of 
his  house:  sometimes  part  of  pay  was  in  fish.  We  are  left 
exclusively  to  conjecture  as  to  who  were  the  ministers  and 
guests  from  abroad  on  this  important  occasion.  It  is  probable 
the  first  parish  was  represented  by  Rev.  John  White,  then 
about  seventy-eight  years  of  age,  or  Samuel  Chandler  then 
about  forty  years  of  age.  Perhaps  Rev.  John  Rogers  of  the 
old  town  fourth  parish  and  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Bradstreet  of 
the  third  parish  were  present.  The  exercises,  we  may  suppose, 
were  deeply  solemn  and  interesting.  The  doings  of  the 
occasion  were  to  extend  to  future  ages  by  their  influence,  and 
posterity  to  be  moulded  for  all  future  time.  In  175 7,  by  the 
church  records,  we  learn  that  the  widow  Mary  Gammage  was 
chosen  sexton  for  that  year,  and  to  have  nine  shillings  and 
fourpence  lawful  money  for  her  services.  Similar  votes  were 
passed  in  1 766.  It  would  seem  by  the  church  records  that 
the  minister  was  absent  as  Chaplain,  soon  after  his  settlement, 
in  the  French  war.  June  1758,  we  find  the  parish  voted, 
That  we  will  not  concur  with  what  the  church  did  concerning 
Mr.  Cleaveland  having  leave  of  absence  to  tarry  in  the  army. 
Dea.  Davis,  Lieut.  John  Rowe  and  Thomas  Dresser  be  a 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS . 


47 


committee  to  send  to  Mr.  Cleaveland  relating  to  a letter  he 
sent  to  the  church  and  his  wife.  1760,  the  church  met  to 
consider,  in  June,  the  letter  of  Col.  John  Whitcomb  inviting 
Rev.  Mr.  Cleaveland  to  go  Chaplain  in  the  army,  this  campaign, 
and  they  granted  him  liberty  to  go.  We  also  find  by  the 
record  of  marriages  and  baptisms  that  he  was  at  Crown  Point, 
near  Lake  Champlain,  N.  Y.,  in  Oct.  1760,  for  he  married  and 
baptized  persons  there,  as  recorded.  It  seems  by  these  records 
that  Mr.  Cleaveland  was  in  the  French  war  in  1758  and  1760. 
In  the  intervals  he  was  here.  This  war  began  in  1756.  Also 
the  church  votes,  in  1768,  pastor  leave  of  absence  six  months 
to  go  to  the  Mohawks,  and  he  went.  The  French  war  lasted 
some  fifteen  years. 

In  1754  the  town  voted,  To  assess  a separate  tax  on  the 
Cape  or  fifth  parish.  Pigeon  Cove  then  belonged  to  the  third 
parish.  In  Oct.  21st.  of  this  year,  the  tax  list  was  committed 
to  Benjamin  Tarr,  constable  and  collector.  This  is  the  first 
tax  levied  on  the  village.  Thirty-seven  men  and  two  estates 
together  with  their  polls,  making  forty-four,  were  taxed.  Two 
taxes  were  assessed:  one,  provincial,  $47.19;  town  tax,  $40.58; 
total,  $87.77.  Two  vessels  were  taxed,  one  to  Eben’r.  Pool, 
the  other  to  the  estate  of  Jabez  Baker.  The  highest  tax  was 
less  than  $9.00.  Four  Pools,  with  the  Baker  estate,  pay  about 
one  half  of  the  tax.- 

I find,  to  digress  a little,  recorded  on  the  fly-leaf  of  an  old 
book  in  my  possession,  the  following:  Nov.  18th.  1755,  there 
was  in  this  place  a terrible  earthquake,  about  half  past  four 
o’clock  in  the  morning. 

In  1766,  Caleb  Pool  is  chosen  as  first  selectman  for  this 
parish;  he  served  about  twenty-seven  years.  Parish  voted  in 
1 767  to  petition  the  General  Court  for  help  to  sustain  preaching, 
and  seek  alliance  with  ’Squam  people  to  maintain  the  same. 

Another  story  about  this  time  would  properly  come  in  here. 
Not  this  time  about  another  porcupine,  but  about  a dog  and 
it  is  said  to  be  founded  on  the  most  reliable  evidence  and 


*8 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS.- 


handed  down  to  posterity.  In  1770,  to  make  the  story  short, 
Thomas  Goss,  an  old  fisherman,  had  a large  and  sagacious 
dog  which  he  was  accustomed  to  take  on  board  his  boat,  when 
out  fishing.  One  day,  being  overtaken  with  a storm,  and 
unable  to  bear  up  against  the  wind,  he  was  in  a disabled 
condition  picked  up  by  a vessel  bound  to  the  South,  taking 
his  dog  with  him  and  abandoning  his  craft.  They  soon  arrived 
at  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  when  Mr.  Goss  told  his  dog  to  go 
home.  He  soon  left  and  after  many  days  he  reached  his  home, 
worn,  emaciated  and  fatigued,  for  he  had  journeyed  hundreds 
of  miles.  The  friends  took  courage  when  they  saw  the  dog, 
having  till  now  supposed  that  all  was  lost.  In  course  of  time, 
Mr.  Goss  reached  home,  to  the  wonder  and  astonishment  of 
the  neighborhood.  So  much  for  the  sagacity  of  the  canine 
race,  wonderful  as  it  is. 

In  1774,  Parish  voted  to  build  a pair  of  stocks.  This,  we 
may  suppose,  was  for  the  punishment  of  offenders  against  the 
laws  and  peace  of  the  village. 

We  now  reach  the  dark  and  gloomy  period  of  the  Revolution- 
ary War,  1775.  Hitherto  the  village  had  gone  on  from  small 
beginnings  gradually  to  increase  in  population  and  business. 
Then  war  comes  and  finds  our  fathers  as  yet  few  in  numbers 
and  feeble  in  resources.  They  had  their  small  fishing  craft, 
a few  bankers,  some  few  rudely  cultivated  fields,  yielding  a 
meagre  harvest,  and  dwelling  on  the  sea-coast  were  peculiarly 
exposed  to  the  ravages  of  war.  They  had,  amid  their  feeble 
and  scanty  resources,  gradually  struggled  up  to  a position  of 
comparative  importance.  They  had  their  church  and  minister, 
their  school-house  and  teacher,  their  selectman  and  minor 
officials,  betokening  progress  and  improvement,  when  the  rude 
blast  of  war  is  blown  around  the  coast.  It  comes  like  a 
mildew  upon  their  budding  prospects.  The  channels  of 
trade  and  business  begin  to  close  up.  Their  larger  vessels 
are  docked.  The  active  and  hardy  men,  the  bone  and  sinew 
of  the  village,  are  turned  from  the  peaceful  pursuits  to  those 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


49 


of  war.  The  minister,  after  having  served  the  people  for  twenty 
years  with  occasional  intervals  of  service  as  Chaplain  in  the 
French  war,  yields  to  the  adverse  influence  around  him  and 
enters  the  service  of  his  country  again  as  Chaplain  and  surgeon’s 
mate  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  At  first  at  Dorchester,  then 
in  the  state  of  Rhode  Island  and  elsewhere,  where  he  continued 
with  occasional  visits  to  his  people  for  about  three  years.  At 
the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service  he  returned  to  his  little 
flock  he  had  left  behind  and  who  had  long  mourned  the  absence 
of  their  spiritual  guide.  After  two  years  of  continuance  in 
ministerial  labors,  being  dissatisfied  with  the  amount  of  salary 
offered  him,  which  was  ninety  quintals  of  hake  annually,  and 
probably  anticipating  the  continued  poverty  of  the  people,  he 
was  dismissed  at  his  own  request,  1 779,  and  removed  to  Coos 
County,  N.  H.  The  tradition  is  that  he  had  a settlement  of 
one  thousand  acres  of  land  as  an  inducement  to  go.  His 
goods  and  effects  were  packed  in  an  oxcart  which  he  had 
purchased  of  Capt.  Dodge  of  Pigeon  Hill  farm.  Jacob  Fletcher, 
then  a youth  and  grandson,  drove  the  team  with  David  Brooks, 
now  living,  then  a little  boy  about  five  years  old,  also  a grand- 
son, riding  on  the  cart.  He  one  day  fell  off,  having  been  made 
dizzy  by  drinking  the  sugar  in  the  bottom  of  the  tumbler  of 
grog  given  him  by  Fletcher.  Mr.  Cleaveland  and  family 
came  on  with  horse-and  carriage.  The  journey  was  about  a 
week. 

Now  the  tide  of  error  and  sin  began  anew  to  set  in  and 
threaten  to  overwhelm  the  barriers  of  morality  and  virtue 
which  the  gospel  had  erected.  But,  notwithstanding  vice  and 
poverty  reigned,  the  spirit  of  liberty  survived,  as  evinced  in 
April  1775  when  some  twenty  of  the  fishing  boats  were  out 
on  the  fishing  grounds,  a short  distance  from  the  shore,  and 
news  came  that  the  British  were  marching  on  to  Concord. 
One  boat  went  off  and  notified  the  others,  and  they  all  returned 
and  before  night  the  men  were  all  in  Gloucester,  armed  and 
equipped  with  such  guns  and  arms  as  came  to  hand,  ready  to 


50 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


march  to  encounter  the  enemy.  But  news  had  come  that  the 
battle  of  Lexington  had  been  fought  and  the  enemy  were  on 
their  way  from  Concord  to  Boston.  The  most  active  men 
enlisted  in  the  service  of  their  country,  for  which  they  received 
but  a paltry  compensation  in  depreciating  paper  currency. 
Those  men  and  boys  incapable  of  entering  the  service,  and 
remaining  at  home  engaged  in  fishing,  were  obliged  to  dispose 
of  their  fish  for  barter  or  nearly  worthless  paper  money  which 
was  sold  in  the  latter  part  of  the  war,  for  2s.  6d.  on  the  £. 
In  one  instance  a soldier  sent  to  his  wife  and  family  a bill  for 
his  month’s  pay  and  this  was  exchanged  for  a bushel  of  meal. 

So  short  were  the  people  at  one  time,  about  1779,  that  no 
corn  or  barley  was  to  be  had  in  the  vicinity  and  a lad  was 
sent  to  Beverly  to  buy  three  bushels  of  barley.  From  1775, 
for  several  years,  salt  was  very  scarce  and  therefore  very  dear 
and  for  this  cause  many  of  the  fish  were  imperfectly  cured. 

To  save  salt,  Mr.  Caleb  Norwood  introduced  the  practice 
of  salting  fish  in  hogsheads  and  found  it  more  economical. 
His  son  William,  now  living,  was  the  first  person  to  fit  out  a 
vessel  to  salt  mackerel  in  casks  on  board  of  the  vessel,  for 
packing  and  exportation.  John  Norwood,  grandfather  of 
William,  first  made  mooring  stones  and  used  many  of  them 
for  Long.  Cove.  His  son  Joshua  at  the  Gap  did  the  same. 

Probably  no  town  experienced  greater  hardships  for  the 
times  than  this  village.  John  Parsons,  the  oldest  man  in 
town,  aged  eighty-eight  years,  says  that  things  came  to  that 
state  that  contributions  were  made  by  adjoining  towns,  of  the 
necessaries  of  life  for  the  people.  In  confirmation  of  these 
statements,  it  is  stated  on  the  authority  of  persons  now  living 
that  the  women  of  Up-town  Parish  and  some  from  ’Squam, 
their  husbands  being  in  the  war,  finding  themselves  in  a 
destitute  condition,  combined  to  procure  provisions  and  went 
in  a company  of  about  twenty  or  more  to  Beaver  Dam  farm, 
then  Col.  Foster’s,  where  provisions  were  stored,  and  demanded 
a supply.  The  Col.  being  away,  being  refused  by  the  keeper, 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


5i 


the  Colonel’s  sister,  Aunt  Betty,  they  stove  down  the  door 
and  weighed  out  to  each  one  a supply,  leaving  an  account  of 
all  that  was  taken.  The  Col.  soon  got  word  of  the  affair  and 
was  angry,  but  afterwards  sent  word  for  them  to  come  to  his 
store  in  Gloucester  and  he  would  give  them  some  provisions, 
and  they  went. 

It  is  well  known  that  Government  granted  a pension  to 
those  Revolutionary  soldiers  who  had  served  a certain  time 
and  whose  pecuniary  circumstances  were  small.  This  was  of 
great  assistance  to  the  old  soldiers  and  especially  to  their 
widows  to  whom  it  was  extended.  Benjamin  Davis  of  this 
place  was  a drummer  in  Capt.  Rowe’s  Company  and  served 
through  the  war.  It  is  related  of  him  that  he  went  to  Boston 
to  get  his  pension,  having  no  evidence  with  him  but  Mr. 
Reuben  Brooks  to  procure  his  certificate  that  he  was  entitled 
to  receive.  Brooks  cautioned  him  not  to  take  one  drop,  as 
was  his  custom,  lest  he  should  fail  of  his  purpose,  but  he 
indulged,  became  jolly  and  when  they  called  at  the  office 
they  were  told  not  to  come  again  till  he  was  sober.  Meeting 
Governor  Brooks,  his  old  Major,  he  accosted  him  in  his 
rough  way,  was  soon  recognized;  he  gave  him  a certificate 
and  when  sober  he  called  at  the  office  and  accomplished  his 
purpose. 

At  the  battle  of  Bimker  Hill  this  village  was  well  represented. 
Capt.  John  Rowe  took  command  of  the  Company,  consisting 
of  sixty-six  men  officered,  from  this  village;  more  than  one- 
half  of  the  men  belonged  here,  about  forty  officers  and  privates. 
Two  of  our  men  were  killed  in  the  battle,  Josiah  Brooks  and 
Francis  Pool.  William  Parsons  from  the  Farms  also  was 
killed.  The  company  roll  is  now  in  existence,  a copy  of  which 
is  in  possession  of  Eben’r.  Pool  in  his  scrap  book. 

The  soldiers  who  wore  long  hair,  as  was  the  custom  of  the 
day,  had  it  cut  off  by  the  fair  hands  of  their  wives,  sisters  and 
sweethearts,  as  they  marched  away. 

Isaac  Pool  of  the  Cape  Parish  was  ensign  of  the  Company 


52 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS . 


and  went  to  Chelsea  or  Winter  Hill  after  the  battle  was  fought, 
taking  Peter  Stillman  with  him,  then  a boy  of  ten  years  of 
age,  to  take  his  horse  home.  Not  knowing  the  way  home, 
Mr.  Pool  told  him  to  let  the  horse  go  as  he  pleased  and  he 
would  find  his  way  home,  and  so  it  proved.  Mr.  Pool’s  name 
is  not  on  the  muster  roll  which  was  made  out  after  the  battle, 
and  this  explains  the  cause.  Mr.  Stillman,  now  eighty-eight 
years  old,  is  the  authority  for  this  statement. 

In  1 776,  several  of  our  men  were  taken  in  the  privateer 
Yankee  Hero,  by  the  frigate  Milford,  during  an  engagement 
of  short  duration.  Some  four  were  killed,  others  wounded; 
one  lost  his  hand,  Eben’r.  Rowe;  two  or  more  died  in  Halifax 
prison.  This  engagement  was  more  serious  than  was  at  first 
anticipated.  Mistaking  the  frigate  for  a merchant  ship  they 
ran  into  danger  before  they  were  aware  and,  finding  it  impossible 
to  escape,  they  gave  battle  and  were  taken.  Some  of  the  men 
were  gone  seven  years;  some  were  sent  as  prisoners  to  Halifax; 
others  escaped  on  a raft  while  the  frigate  lay  at  anchor  off 
Rhode  Island;  some  were  sent  to  New  York.  Maj.  John 
Rowe  was  among  the  prisoners  and  was  sent  to  New  York. 
This  brave  official  died  years  after,  viz:  1801,  at  Boyls  Springs, 
New  York.  About  1779,  eight  men  were  lost  from  this  place 
in  the  privateer  Tempest,  foundered  at  sea.  She  sailed  from 
Gloucester,  Isaac  Somes  master.  During  the  war  this  village 
lost  by  privateering,  in  battle  and  in  prison,  upwards  of  forty 
men,  most  of  them  young  and  active.  Some  of  the  old  people 
at  home  were  also  swept  off  about  this  time,  as  well  as  children, 
by  the  small-pox.  This  disease  prevailed  in  the  village, 
causing  great  alarm.  Pest-houses  were  established  at  first 
but  at  length  the  people  were  permitted  to  remain  in  their 
houses  if  sick.  Inoculation  was  practised  very  generally, 
vaccination  was  not  yet  discovered.  The  parish  voted,  That 
no  person  be  allowed  to  inoculate  in  their  houses  without  a 
permit  from  the  committee.  Any  violating  this  order  was  to 
receive  thirty-three  lashes.  We  have  no  record  of  a whipping- 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


53 


post  in  the  village  but  there  was  one  in  the  first  parish,  where 
offenders  were  punished. 

Soon  after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  an  English  brig  was 
discovered  near  Oakes’  rock,  at  anchor  in  the  fog.  About 
fifteen  men  mustered  with  a boat  from  Long  Cove  and  soon 
pulled  alongside.  Having  taken  the  precaution  to  arm  them- 
selves, and  keeping  most  of  the  men  below  deck,  they  suddenly 
surprised  and  boarded  the  brig,  taking  her  into  whirlpool 
dock.  She  had  a deck-load  of  cattle,  ammunition  and  provisions 
under  deck.  She  was  from  Nova  Scotia,  bound  for  Boston 
then  in  possession  of  the  British.  The  cattle  were  hoisted 
out  and  were  driven  to  the  harbor  and  sold  at  auction.  The 
vessel  was  taken  to  ’Squam  where  she  lay  awhile  and  eventually 
drove  ashore  and  was  cut  up  except  some  of  the  timbers, 
which  are  said  to  lie  there  yet.  This  was  said  to  be  the  first 
prize  taken  in  the  war.  A similar  capture  was  made  by  Capt. 
Manly  of  Marblehead,  about  this  time;  the  stores  were  sent  to 
Gen.  Washington  at  Cambridge  and  he  expressed  his  high 
gratification  as  they  were  such  as  were  much  needed. 

A Revolutionary  incident  of  these  times  is  related  as  follows. 
The  late  Patience  Knowlton  of  this  place,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Knights,  resided  awhile  in  Rowley  in  the  family  of  Col.  Gage. 
One  night  she  heard  an  English  officer  come  to  the  house 
and  bargain  for  some  cattle  which  the  Col.  had  in  his  pasture 
in  the  south  part  of  this  Cape.  The  bargain  was  concluded 
and  if  he  did  not  get  a supply  he  was  to  call  upon  Joseph 
Baker,  grandson  of  Jabez,  and  he  being  a friend  to  the  English 
would  supply  him.  In  the  morning  this  interview  was  made 
known  to  the  neighbors  and  their  patriotism  was  at  once 
aroused  to  mob  or  expose  the  Col.  but  he  succeeded  in 
inducing  a denial  of  the  facts  and  thereby  escaped. 

Perhaps  it  is  well  for  us  here  to  be  reminded  that  the 
fashions  and  customs  of  those  early  times  were  very  different 
from  those  of  the  present  day,  both  in  dress  and  food.  The 
prevailing  dress  for  men  and  youth  was  short  clothes,  shoes 


54 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


with  buckles,  three-cornered  hat.  The  wig  was  worn  by 
many;  others  wore  the  long  hair,  powdered  on  dress  occasions 
when  others  who  wore  leather  short  clothes  used  to  give  them 
a good  dressing  with  yellow  ball  to  make  them  shine  with  a 
rich  color.  This  was  particularly  the  case  when  they  appeared 
at  church  and  at  social  gatherings.  The  long  coat  of  red 
broadcloth,  when  it  could  be  obtained  and  afforded,  was 
preferred  with  a plain  vest,  sometimes  velvet  of  rich  color. 
But  the  poorer  class  had  home-made  clothes,  as  there  were 
no  manufactories  but  all  common  goods  were  made  in  the 
families,  where  the  spinning-wheel  and  looms  were  kept  busy. 
The  richer  class  wore  ruffles  in  the  bosom  and  on  the  wrists. 
The  females  generally  wore  plain  home-made  clothing;  the 
richer,  some  foreign  silks.  Calico  was  not  in  common  use: 
that  which  now  costs  twelve  and  one-half  cents  per  yard  then 
cost  sixty-two  and  one-half  cents  and  was  worn  on  dress 
occasions,  at  weddings  etc.  Cotton  was  scarce  and  dear;  striped 
and  checked  cloth  made  at  home  was  in  common  use.  High 
heeled  shoes  turned  up  at  the  toe  prevailed  for  a time.  Food 
was  plain  and  simple.  Bean  broth  and  Johnny  cake  abounded. 
Coffee  was  served  in  early  times,  in  tumblers;  pewter  dishes 
abounded.  Bakers’  bread  was  used  by  some.  Jabez 
Richardson  was  the  first  baker  in  the  village.  The  old  Gott 
house  was  the  bakery;  it  stood  where  the  house  of  the  heirs 
of  John  Wallace  now  stands.  He  married  my  great  grand- 
mother on  my  father’s  side.  He  carried  his  bread  around 
town  in  panniers  on  horseback.  It  was  to  this  house  the 
boys  used  to  go  on  election  day  to  obtain  their  election  cake, 
each  one  carrying  a fish  in  exchange.  The  next  baker  was  a 
Mr.  Steele;  about  sixty  years  ago  he  kept  near  the  house  of 
Wm.  P.  Burns,  which  is  now  removed  and  is  the  residence  of 
the  widow  Edward  Haskell.  Wages  in  those  times  were  low, 
females  getting  about  two  shillings  per  week  and  men  in 
proportion.  Provisions  were  high. 

We  here  recur  again  to  the  old  schoolhouse  on  the  village 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


55 


green.  While  standing  in  this  place  it  was  for  the  greater 
part  of  the  time  the  abode  of  the  teacher  and  his  wife.  His 
name  was  William  Clark;  he  taught  in  the  war  time  and  for 
some  years  after.  He  had  a young  and  sprightly  wife  who 
taught  the  youngest  children  up  stairs.  The  house  being  but 
one  story,  the  chamber  was  small  and  inconvenient.  This 
building  was  the  principal  place  where  the  young  folks  obtained 
their  education.  It  was  necessary  that  the  teacher  should 
live  in  the  building  in  consequence  of  his  being  a paralytic 
and  incapable  of  moving  about  without  assistance.  Not  being 
able  to  use  his  hands  to  advantage  he  wrote  with  his  mouth, 
holding  the  pen  with  his  teeth  and  guiding  it  in  some  measure 
with  his  hand.  He  also  held  his  fescue,  a small  wire  to  point 
with,  in  his  mouth  to  point  out  the  letters  to  the  children 
learning  to  read.  His  body  used  to  have  a rolling  motion 
and  if  the  rogues  did  not  keep  their  place  he  would  strike 
them  with  his  head.  He  punished  the  larger  boys  by  striking 
them  with  his  arms,  which  he  did  by  a halting  motion.  Not 
being  able  to  bring  his  arms  forward  he  was  obliged  to  have 
assistance  for  this  purpose  and  then  being  able  to  throw  his 
arms  backward  he  could  strike  the  offender  who  stood  before 
him.  His  school  books  were  very  limited  in  number.  The 
principal  were  the  Psalter,  Primer  with  picture  of  John  Rogers 
and  his  family,  Youth’s  Guide,  Catechism,  Dillworth’s  Spelling 
Book.  But  these-" :ontained  the  key  to  all  knowledge.  His 
scholars  were  obliged  to  draw  him  about  on  Saturday  after- 
noons, in  a handcart.  The  scholars  were  generally  in  high 
glee  on  these  occasions.  Fastening  ropes  to  the  cart,  they 
strung  hold  as  many  as  could  draw  and  away  they  went, 
shouting  and  singing  at  the  top  of  their  voices.  If  at  any 
time,  taking  advantage  of  his  helplessness,  they  indulged 
themselves  to  his  injury,  they  were  called  to  account  when 
assembled  in  school,  and  corrected. 

This  old  schoolmaster  had  a brother  Samuel  who  acquired 
considerable  distinction  in  those  days  as  a prophet,  soothsayer 


56 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


and  conjurer.  He  lived  in  an  old  house  between  Capt.  George 
Lane’s  and  Capt.  John  Gott’s,  back  from  the  road.  The 
ignorance  and  superstition  of  the  times  fostered  and  nourished 
into  luxuriant  growth  that  peculiar  fondness  for  the  wonderful 
and  mysterious,  to  which  mankind  are  so  naturally  prone. 
Before  the  Revolution  he  had  a dream  respecting  the  sad  events 
which  were  to  happen  to  the  country.  These  he  had  all  written 
out  and  published  with  much  particularity,  in  a small  tract. 
It  is  said  that  the  wonderful  coincidence  of  the  actual  events 
with  those  prognosticated  by  the  dream  at  once  established  his 
claim  as  a prophet,  with  the  credulous.  But  his  fame  as  a 
conjurer  was  not  eclipsed  by  his  gift  of  prophecy.  He  was 
for  a long  time  the  oracle  of  the  village  and  whenever  any 
mystery  was  to  be  unravelled  or  difficulty  solved,  he  was 
sure  to  be  consulted.  Tradition  says  his  fame  extended 
abroad  beyond  the  limits  of  his  secluded  village  and  attracted 
the  attention  of  the  curious  in  other  places.  At  one  time,  a 
stranger  came  to  him  to  ascertain  the  whereabouts  of  a barrel 
of  oil  that  was  lost,  and  who  the  person  was  that  had  committed 
the  theft.  Clark,  with  that  remarkable  insight  into  human 
nature  with  which  he  was  endowed,  suspecting  the  stranger 
himself  to  be  the  thief,  told  him  that  the  man  who  stole  the 
oil  would  be  known  by  a feather  growing  out  of  the  end  of 
his  nose.  Clark  slightly  watched  the  man  before  him,  when 
he  saw  him  cautiously  put  his  hand  to  his  nose.  The  mystery 
was  solved.  Clark  told  him  to  go  home  and  give  himself  no 
concern  about  the  matter  for  it  would  all  come  out  right.  In 
a few  days  another  person  came  to  him  (the  real  owner)  on 
the  same  errand.  After  a short  consultation  he  told  him  to 
be  not  uneasy  but  keep  still  and  the  oil  would  soon  be  restored. 
In  a few  days  the  oil  was  found  returned.  Let  it  not  be  said 
in  future  that  Sandy  Bay  furnished  no  philosophers  in  olden 
time.  But  this  class  of  honors  was  not  wholly  to  be  shared 
or  enjoyed  by  the  Old  Philosopher.  Some  few  old  women 
says  tradition,  from  up  town,  haggard,  destitute  and  pinched 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


57 


with  poverty,  were  accustomed  to  make  no  small  gains  in  the 
exercise  of  the  profession  of  witches.  They  would  come 
down  among  the  fishermen  and  beg  fish,  promising  them  good 
luck  for  the  favors  received.  They  were  usually  supplied 
with  what  they  wanted,  but  it  is  said  that,  on  one  occasion, 
their  solicitations  were  rejected  and  reproachful  language  used 
towards  them  by  one  man.  They  resented  the  treatment 
and  replied  that  he  would  soon  regret  his  refusal.  He  soon 
went  out,  found  fish  plenty,  but  all  at  once  his  hawser  parted 
and  he  had  to  quit  and  return  home.  This  reminded  him  of 
his  ill  usage  of  the  witches.  It  operated  on  his  superstitious 
fears  and  he  resolved  he  would  ever  after  aim  to  secure  their 
good-will  by  granting  their  requests.  After  his  change  of 
conduct  towards  them  he  prospered  and  obtained  good  fares. 

It  is  supposed  that  it  was  this  belief  in  witches,  which  was 
quite  prevalent  in  these  times,  that  led  to  the  adoption  of  some 
charms  to  propitiate  their  favor.  The  horseshoe  was  supposed 
to  possess  some  mysterious  power  to  secure  good  luck.  It 
was  very  generally  introduced.  It  was  found  nailed  up  in 
many  fishing  boats  and  doubtless  may  be  found  there  still. 
The  farmer  nailed  it  on  his  hog  trough  and  barn  door,  and 
the  good  housewife  in  some  cases  deemed  it  an  indispensable 
appendage  to  her  pantry.  I do  not  know  that  it  ever  got  into 
the  schoolmaster’s  desk  or  the  pulpit.  Probably  we  owe  its 
exclusion  from  those-places  to  a higher  degree  of  intelligence 
lurking  about  those  premises,  which  had  a tendency  to  exorcise 
the  evil  spirits  from  those  quarters.  An  old  historian  of  the 
early  times,  Edward  Johnson,  says  that  the  master  and  seamen 
of  the  ship  which  sailed  in  1634  to  New  England  in  a storm 
nailed  two  red-hot  horseshoes  to  the  mast,  thinking  the  ship 
was  bewitched,  showing  the  superstition  of  long  standing. 

It  was  in  1780  two  remarkable  events  occurred,  one  called 
the  dark  day,  the  other  the  great  snow-storm.  The  dark  day 
was  general  in  its  extent  through  New  England.  The  snow- 
storm was  more  local  but  as  they  were  regarded  with  much 


58 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


interest  in  this  vicinity  they  may  be  noticed  here  as  in  a 
measure  forming  a part  of  our  history.  According  to  the 
record  of  the  time,  the  day  commenced  on  the  morning  of 
the  19th  of  May.  The  weather  was  previously  clear 
and  calm,  when  suddenly,  about  ten  o’clock  A.  M.,  darkness 
began  to  shroud  the  face  of  nature.  It  increased  in  intensity. 
The  cattle  cease  grazing  in  the  pastures  and  look  upward 
with  wonder  and  then  return  lowing  from  the  hills  to  their 
folds.  The  birds  close  their  joyous  songs  and  seek  in  wild 
dismay  the  nearest  retreat.  A cold  chill  and  death-like 
stillness  are  felt  around.  The  scene  is  calculated  to  alarm 
the  fears  and  excite  the  imagination  of  the  people,  partaking 
naturally  of  the  spirit  of  the  times.  The  pious  among  them 
assemble  in  their  houses  and  engage  in  religious  services: 
some  of  them,  doubtless,  believe  that  the  Day  of  Judgment  is 
at  hand.  The  irreligious  are  alarmed  and  attempt  to  pray. 
The  darkness  continues;  lights  are  in  all  their  dwellings;  all 
work  is  suspended.  They  pass  through  the  day  and  the 
night  in  suspense  and  anxiety,  but  behold  the  morning  cometh, 
the  darkness  flees  away  and  all  nature  assumes  her  wonted 
appearance.  Much  has  been  said  and  written  about  this 
strange  phenomenon,  at  the  time.  Rev.  Eli  Forbes  of 
Gloucester,  in  his  century  discourse  published  in  1801,  says 
of  this  event:  “On  the  19th.  of  May  was  a remarkable  dark 
day,  when  most  people  of  the  states  were  obliged  to  dine  by 
candle  light.”  The  most  general  impression  among  the 
intelligent  people  was  that  it  was  produced  by  smoke  from 
New  Hampshire  and  Vermont,  from  burnt  land.  The  event 
was  long  remembered  and  dwelt  upon  by  our  fathers,  and  one 
of  the  old  poets  of  the  old  town,  said  to  be  Elder  Warner, 
commemorated  it  in  verse  beginning  with  the  following  lines, 
which  were  sung  in  many  dwellings,  little  thinking  that  the 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


59 


effusions  of  his  poetic  genius  would  be  preserved  and  handed 
down  to  a future  age. 

“’Twas  on  the  19th.  day  of  May,  the  6th.  day  of  the  week, 

In  1780,  the  Lord  to  us  did  speak. 

Sometimes  the  clouds  looked  fiery  red  and  sometimes  yellow  and  green, 
Then  again  for  several  hours  daylight  was  not  to  be  seen. 

’Twas  like  the  dreadful  gloomy  day  when  Christ  was  crucified, 

It  was  the  thought  of  many  our  days  were  turned  to  night.” 

The  great  snow-storm  was  remarkable  for  its  kind,  its 
violence  and  continuance.  It  commenced  with  a violent  N. 
E.  gale  which  caused  the  snow,  that  fell  very  fast,  to  drift 
very  much.  It  lasted  several  days;  for  twenty-seven  days 
snow  fell  with  little  interruption.  Stephen  Pool  recovered 
one  of  his  sheep  which  had  been  covered  up  in  the  snow 
twenty-nine  days.  It  was  much  emaciated  but  was  saved. 
Most  of  the  buildings  were  nearly  covered  with  snow,  the 
chamber  windows  being  darkened  thereby.  They  had  to  dig 
their  way  down  to  the  door  from  the  top  of  the  snow.  One 
old  lady  related  that  where  her  family  lived  they  had  an 
archway  of  snow  leading  from  the  front  door  to  the  top  of  the 
snow.  The  severity  of  the  weather  combined  with  the  poverty 
of  the  people  contributed  very  much  to  their  suffering. 

But  we  gladly  turn  from  these  scenes  of  darkness  and  gloom 
to  those  more  congenial  and  inspiring  which  were  beginning 
to  dawn  upon  the  people  here  and  the  country.  The  noise  of 
war  and  the  clangor  of  arms  subside,  and  peace,  so  long  driven 
from  the  abodes  of  men,  returns  and  in  her  train  follow 
industry,  enterprise  and  thrift. 

The  soldier  lays  down  his  arms  and  assumes  the  plow.  The 
sailor,  so  long  the  sport  of  fickle  and  adverse  fortune,  hies 
home  from  bloody  seas  and  engages  in  honorable  commerce. 
The  channels  of  trade  gradually  open  and  business  flows  on 
its  wonted  course.  The  fishing  interests  of  the  village  assume 
greater  importance.  Soon  the  population  increases  in 
number.  Independence,  a free  country,  are  inspiring  words 


6o 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


and  quicken  the  energies  of  the  people.  At  this  time,  1783, 
there  are  about  sixty-five  dwelling-houses  and  five  hundred 
people,  four  bank  fishing  schooners  and  twenty  fishing  boats: 
two  more  bankers  are  soon  to  be  added  to  the  fleet.  Daniel 
Thurston  and  his  son  this  year  fitted  out  a bank  schooner, 
also  Benjamin  Hale  and  Daniel  Young  built  the  schooner 
Lucy  here  and  fitted  her  out  for  the  Banks.  She  was  built 
where  now  is  the  head  of  the  middle  wharf. 

About  this  time,  1782,  the  parish,  feeling  the  need  of  a 
minister,  engaged  the  services  of  Rev.  Mr.  Stewart.  He 
resided  with  his  family  in  Stephen  Pool’s  house  and  he  continued 
to  labor  a good  part  of  the  time  till  1785.  He  served  as 
preacher  and  school  teacher,  being  hired  from  three  to  six 
months  at  a time,  salary  one  hundred  pounds  old  tenor  per  year. 

In  1783,  the  bill  of  rights  gave  liberty  to  all  people  in  the 
state:  previous  to  this  there  were  slaves  in  the  state  and  some 
in  this  village.  James  Norwood,  Isaac  Pool  and  Joseph 
Baker  had  some  few,  and  probably  some  others,  and  some  of 
these  colored  people  lived  here  for  several  years  after  they 
were  free. 

The  parish  votes  this  year,  1783,  that  the  watch-house  be 
taken  for  parish  use.  There  was  a watch-house  on  the  top  of 
Pigeon  Hill,  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  whence  a complete 
survey  could  be  taken  of  the  coast,  and  warning  given  in  case 
of  an  emergency.  This  was  probably  the  house  mentioned. 

There  was  not  as  yet  much  advance  made  in  agriculture. 
There  were  some  dozen ' farmers  and  although  they  had  land 
enough  they  did  not  seem  to  possess  the  facilities  for  culti- 
vating. They  raised  but  little  produce  and  frequently  depended 
upon  salt  hay  for  their  cattle,  which  they  procured  in  Ipswich 
by  their  boats.  Some  of  the  farmers  carried  on  fishing,  to 
the  neglect  of  their  land. 

In  1786,  the  old  wharf  before  alluded  to  was  repaired. 
This  wharf  was  about  twenty  leet  wide,  about  seventy  feet  in 
front  of  the  present  wharf,  though  not  near  so  high  and  long. 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


61 


The  tax  of  Sandy  Bay  in  1789  was  $580;  Jabez  Tarr, 
Collector;  one  hundred  and  thirty-three  persons  were  taxed. 

In  1788,  the  parish  voted  the  Independent  society  the  use 
of  their  meeting-house  one  fourth  of  the  time,  on  condition  of 
their  bearing  their  proportion  of  the  expense  of  repairs.  This 
is  the  first  mention  of  the  Universalists. 

By  1794  the  inhabitants  had  increased  to  about  seven 
hundred  and  there  were  about  seventy-five  dwelling-houses. 
Business  had  for  a few  years  been  more  flourishing  and 
continued  so  till  about  1797,  when  there  was  more  stagnation. 

It  was  just  before  this,  1793,  an  old  lady,  Mrs.  Lucretia 
Norwood,  remarked  that  she  counted  sixty-two  sail  of  boats 
in  Long  Cove,  from  five  to  ten  tons. 

In  1794,  William  Goss  and  Eben’r.  Pool  Jr,  were  fined  as 
liable  by  law  for  not  serving  as  Collector  of  parish  taxes. 

In  1793,  the  village  was  again  visited  by  an  epidemic,  the 
malignant  sore  throat.  Sixty-two  children  were  said  to  have 
died  in  a few  weeks.  Physicians  of  Gloucester  were  called 
on  there  being  no  physician  here  till,  about  this  time,  Dr. 
James  Goss  of  Billerica  settled  here  from  the  first  parish.  Up 
to  this  time,  from  the  first  settlement,  the  people  when  needing 
a physician  were  dependent  on  the  first  parish. 

There  being  no  minister  here  at  this  time  Dea.  John  Rowe 
officiated  at  the  funerals,  a man  highly  esteemed  for  his 
Christian  character  and  well  balanced  mind.  He  frequently 
conducted  religious  meetings  through  the  long  period  of 
religious  or  ministerial  destitution.  How  many  death  scenes 
the  old  deacon  witnessed!  How  many  a dying  one  he  had 
commended  in  prayer  to  that  Saviour  who  taketh  away  the 
sins  of  the  world!  Let  us  who  are  a portion  of  the  descendants 
of  the  fathers  of  that  age  bless  God  that  such  a man  lived 
in  that  dark  day  of  the  village,  when  the  light  of  the  gospel 
was  nearly  extinct. 

Dr.  Goss  not  only  practised  medicine,  but  taught  school  in 
1 793  and  afterwards.  The  widow  Mary  Gammage,  daughter 


62 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


of  Joshua  Norwood  at  the  Gap,  the  old  sexton,  till  this  time 
and  some  years  after  officiated  in  the  medical  line  among  her 
sex.  She  eventually  moved  to  Bristol,  Maine,  where  she  died 
aged  about  one  hundred  and  five  years.  She  is  represented 
as  a woman  of  small  stature,  but  happily  endowed  by  nature 
with  those  qualities  which  rendered  her  highly  useful  in  the 
sphere  in  which  she  moved. 

In  1796,  Mr.  Eben’r.  Pool  was  the  Selectman  for  this  parish, 
when  the  valuation  of  Sandy  Bay  was  $50,000  and  Pigeon 
Cove  $20,000. 

In  1797,  May,  the  place  was  visited  by  a violent  gale,  the 
highest  tide  since  1635.  It  is  said  a boat  of  ten  tons  was 
driven  across  the  Roberts’  meadow  to  where  the  reservoir 
now  is.  The  land  was  some  lower  where  the  street  is  than 
now  and  there  was  no  obstruction  to  the  sea  coming  into  the 
-cove,  as  now. 

It  was  about  this  time  that  typhoid  fever  prevailed  here 
extensively.  At  one  period  it  is  said  one  hundred  were  down 
with  the  disease,  never  so  prevalent  before  or  since. 

It  was  no  uncommon  thing  in  a gale  of  wind,  at  that  day, 
for  the  sea  to  run  across  where  the  store  of  Nath’l.  Tarr  now 
stands,  and  boats  even  have  been  carried  across.  At  this 
time,  along  in  this  place  and  for  some  distance  .leading  on  to 
the  neck  it  was  a sand  beach;  planks  covered  the  ground 
where  now  stand  the  houses  on  the  beach  side  of  the  road. 

In  1797,  the  old  burying-ground  given  by  Richard  Tarr  is 
enlarged  by  the  north-east  by  the  distance  of  the  old  road, 
which  passed  till  now  in  a northerly  direction  down  by  it;  this 
ground  has  been  enlarged  twice  since  by  purchase.  It  was 
in  this  old  ground  most  of  the  first  settlers  were  buried.  But 
at  present  there  are  but  few  monuments  to  mark  their  resting- 
place.  Here 

“Where  heaves  the  turf  ill  many  a mouldering  heap, 

Each  in  his  narrow  cell  forever  laid, 

The  rude  forefathers  of  the  hamlet  sleep.” 

The  oldest  stones  found  do  not  exceed  one  hundred  and 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


63 


seventy-five  years.  Probably  many  were  deposited  there  with 
nothing  but  a temporary  stone  to  mark  their  grave.  Even 
the  precise  spot  where  rest  the  remains  of  the  first  settler, 
Richard  Tarr,  is  not  known  as  no  stone  points  the  visitor  to 
his  resting-place.  He  died  in  1732.  Is  it  not  fitting  that  a 
grateful  posterity  should  erect  a monument*  to  the  memory  of 
him  who  was  the  first  settler,  who  gave  to  the  village  its  first 
burying-ground  and  committed  to  its  bosom  his  earthly 
remains?  We  have  stated  here  the  ancient  tradition  about  the 
gift  of  the  old  burying-ground  but  according  to  the  parish 
record  it  seems  they  had  no  suitable  burying-ground  before 
1760,  for  this  year  the  parish  chose  a committee  to  treat  with 
the  Commoners  for  a piece  of  land  for  a burying-place  in 
this  parish.  And  it  seems  it  was  granted  for  in  a few  years 
after  the  parish  votes,  To  work  on  the  burying-ground  fence. 
It  is  probable  that  Mr.  Tarr  or  his  heirs  relinquished  to  the 
parish  the  ground  where  he  lies  buried.  It  being  a small 
piece  of  land,  when  it  became  filled  up  the  parish  occupied  the 
Commoners’  land  till  1760,  when  they  obtain  possession  by 
grant. 

In  1797,  the  principal  men  of  the  town,  fifty-eight  in  number, 
unite  and  build  the  Proprietors  schoolhouse  at  twenty-seven 
dollars  per  share.  The  first  teacher  was  Joseph  Cummings, 
a collegiate,  a man  of  good  qualifications  and  a successful 
teacher.  William  Smith  was  the  next  teacher  from  1798  to 
1803,  most  of  the  time.  David  Jewett  taught  the  next  two 
winters  at  $150  per  term.  Wm.  Whipple,  an  able  teacher, 
taught  some  twenty  years  with  but  little  interruption.  The 
builders  of  this  house,  having  been  trained  under  many 
disadvantages,  were  determined  their  children  should  have 
superior  privileges  to  theirs.  They  looked  for  great  results 
and  we  trust  were  not  disappointed.  The  old  schoolhouse 
was  now  taken  down,  after  having  seen  the  service  of  seventy- 
three  years,  and  old  Master  Clark  retires  to  the  old  Clark 
*Monument  erected  by  the  town  in  1854  cost  $50. 


64 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


house,  some  time  afterward  to  the  Stockman  house  which 
stood  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  School  streets,  where  he 
continues  to  teach  for  a few  years  when  he  dies  and  his  grateful 
pupils  bear  him  to  his  grave. 

In  1798,  Dr.  John  Manning  of  Ipswich  came  here,  the 
second  resident  physician,  from  Gloucester.  When  seventeen 
years  of  age  he  was  surgeon’s  mate  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution 
at  Tiverton,  Rhode  Island.  He  commenced  practice  when 
about  twenty-one  years  of  age,  at  Chester,  N.  H.  In  February 
1786,  he  came  to  Gloucester,  Mass.,  and  continued  his  residence 
there  till  November  1798  when  he  came  to  reside  here. 

He  and  Dr.  Goss  shared  the  responsibilities  of  the  medical 
profession  in  this  village  and  vicinity  for  many  long  years 
during  its  growth,  till  it  became  a town,  and  some  years 
after.  These  veterans  of  the  profession  have  themselves 
yielded  to  the  king  of  terrors  whose  sway  they  so  long  disputed. 
Their  labors  were  long  and  arduous  in  a field  where  great  and 
mighty  interests  as  life  and  death  are  pending,  in  a field  where 
the  honors  that  are  won  and  the  victories  achieved  are  too 
seldom  acknowledged  by  the  busy  world.  Dr.  Manning  in 
early  and  later  years  engaged  in  commerce,  both  in  Gloucester 
and  here,  and  made  and  lost  much  money.  He  said  that  he 
had  lost  in  foreign  trade  forty  thousand  dollars,  both  in  ships 
and  brigs,  including  six  hundred  tons  of  shipping. 

It  is  now  the  old  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Cleaveland,  returns,  1798, 
after  so  many  years’  absence,  aged  and  infirm,  and  takes  up 
his  abode  in  his  house  he  had  left  behind  and  had  built  some 
forty-five  years  before.  During  his  absence  there  had  been 
little  permanent  preaching,  mostly  transient  and  at  long 
intervals.  The  consequence  of  this  long  dearth  of  ministerial 
labor  had  been  disastrous  to  the  welfare  of  the  village,  and 
while  the  outward  marks  of  material  prosperity  had  increased, 
the  moral  well-being  of  the  people  had  greatly  deteriorated. 

Mr.  Cleaveland,  while  residing  in  N.  H.,  in  his  country 
home,  occasionally  visited  here  from  1780  to  1782.  From 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


65 


1 783  to  1786  he  visited  Bath,  Maine,  from  time  to  time.  From 
1786  to  1794  he  is  here  a portion  of  his  time,  and  probably 
with  his  family  as  they  were  discontented  with  their  country 
home.  From  1794  to  1797,  he  and  family  are  at  Amesbury, 
Mass.,  visiting  here  now  and  then.  In  1799,  he  mingled  his 
tears  with  those  of  his  nation  in  the  universal  grief  at  the 
death  of  Washington,  commemorating  the  solemn  occasion 
by  preaching  a funeral  sermon  in  the  old  meeting-house,  on 
his  death.  Mr.  Cleaveland  does  not  come  back  thinking  to 
resume  the  ministerial  duties  of  the  parish  at  this  late  period 
of  his  life,  but  occasionally  officiates  when  solicited,  and  his 
infirmities  allow,  giving  the  weight  of  his  influence  to  the 
gospel  he  had  so  long  preached  and  which  was  so  little 
appreciated  by  many  around  him. 

In  1797  during  our  national  troubles  with  France,  in 
consequence  of  their  interference  with  our  commerce,  several 
vessels  were  fitted  out  to  protect  ourselves.  A number  of 
men  from  this  village  enlisted  on  board  of  States  vessels.  In 
1 800  there  were  about  seventy  vessels  of  all  kinds  owned  here, 
averaging  about  fifteen  tons,  fishing  being  very  profitable 
for  a number  of  years.  Some  few  larger  vessels  were  used  as 
coasters.  Some  ten  farmers  having  thirteen  yoke  of  oxen 
and  fewer  horses,  supported  their  families  mainly  from  the 
produce  of  their  farms,  and  several  of  these  purchased  salt 
hay  in  other  places,  so  little  attention  was  paid  to  the  cultivation 
of  English  hay  them  But  soon  some  of  the  farmers  turn 
their  attention  to  the  clearing  up  of  low  swampy  land.  This 
is  soon  found  to  be  profitable,  yielding  good  returns  to  the 
cultivator.  This  gives  a start  to  other  farmers  and  soon  an 
improved  agriculture  is  manifest.  At  this  time  there  were 
about  eighty  houses  in  the  village  and  twenty-five  at  Pigeon 
Cove,  making  one  hundred  and  five  in  what  is  now  Rockport. 
Business  was  generally  thriving  and  several  new  houses  were 
in  process  of  erection. 

In  1802,  Dr.  William  Ferson  came  here,  being  the  third 


66 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


physician.  He  came  from  New  Boston,  N.  H.  He  remained 
here  about  three  years,  when  he  was  called  to  an  office  in  the 
custom-house  at  Gloucester  and  was  most  of  the  time  since  in 
the  honorable  sendee  of  the  town.  He  died  Dec.  6th.  1853, 
aged  seventy-nine  years. 

In  1 803  the  building  of  the  new  meeting-house  was  begun; 
it  was  completed  in  1 804  and  was  dedicated  in  October  1 804; 
sermon  by  Rev.  Abiel  Abbott  of  Beverly,  Mass.  The  corner- 
stone was  laid  with  Masonic  ceremonies.  Documents  were 
deposited  in  the  stone  of  the  western  corner.  Mr.  David 
Jewett  helped  place  the  stone.  The  old  meeting-house  was 
taken  down  and  sold  at  auction.  We  give  a copy  of  a document 
now  in  existence  relating  to  the  disposal  of  this  house. 

“Wfe,  the  subscribers,  proprietors  of  the  old  meeting-house  in  the 
fifth  parish  of  Gloucester,  wishing  to  sell  our  respective  rights  in  said 
house  and  such  land  belonging  to  said  house  as  a committee  shall 
think  best,  and  give  the  purchaser  or  purchasers  a warranty  deed  of 
the  same,  do  each  of  us  obligate  ourselves  by  these  presents  to  sell 
the  above  mentioned  premises  in  such  way  and  manner  as  the  committee 
judge  best,  and  each  pew  have  an  equal  share  in  the  money  of  said  sale. 
Gloucester,  23d.  day  of  August  1804. 

Benjamin  Tarr,  Henry  TVitham,  Caleb  Pool,  Wm.  Rowe,  Jonathan 
Pool,  Joseph  Smith,  EbenT.  Pool  Jr.,  (in  behalf  of  his  father)  Samuel 
D.  Thurston,  Aaron  Sargent,  Caleb  Norwood,  John  Gott,  Sarah  Todd, 
Mark  Pool,  Jabez  Rowe,  Daniel  Thurston,  Thomas  Roberts.” 

There  were  but  two  more  owners,  making  eighteen, 
corresponding  to  the  number  of  pews.  It  will  be  remembered 
that  there  were  seats  in  the  body  of  the  house,  for  the  old 
men  and  the  old  women. 

The  erection  of  this  new  meeting-house  was  a great  under- 
taking. The  expense  was  S9000.  It  was  entered  upon  with 
a good  degree  of  spirit  and  interest.  Many  long  years  had 
rolled  away  since  the  fathers  of  the  village  had  laid  the 
foundations  of  the  old  house.  Their  posterity  remembered 
their  labors,  their  toils  and  self-denials  to  institute  and  perpetuate 
the  worship  of  that  God  who  had  watched  over  them  when  an 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


67 


infant  settlement.  The  fifth  parish  and  the  inhabitants  of 
Sandy  Bay  united  in  the  erection  of  this  house,  to  be  improved 
between  them.  The  fifth  parish  or  society  at  this  time  consisted, 
according  to  town  valuation,  of  about  three-fifths  of  the 
amount  of  property  of  the  place;  the  other  inhabitants  of 
about  two-fifths,  they  being  a part  of  the  Universalist  Society 
of  the  first  parish  of  Gloucester.  The  agreement  between 
the  parties  was,  that  the  house  might  be  occupied  by  the 
parties  alternately  in  this  proportion  as  to  time.  This  arrange- 
ment was  observed  for  awhile,  when,  from  some  disagreement, 
it  ceased,  the  larger  party  refusing  admission  to  the  others. 
This  led  to  protracted  litigation  which  ended  in  the  parish 
retaining  control  and  disposal  of  the  house.  The  merits  of 
this  controversy  we  do  not  propose  to  enter  upon  here, 
sufficient  to  say  much  rancor  and  animosity  were  the  result.  _ 

In  1804,  in  the  months  of  September  and  October,  it  is 
recorded  a violent  gale  of  wind  prevailed  here,  causing  much 
damage  and  resulting  in  the  loss  of  several  men  belonging  j 
here,  in  ’Squam  river. 

It  is  now  we  hear  for  the  first  time  of  Baptists  in  this  village. 
Capt.  Benjamin  Hale  and  wife  came  here  to  his  native  place, 
both  Baptists,  having  been  married  and  baptized  in  New 
York.  Capt.  Hale  was  a pious  and  devout  man,  and  here 
and  then  laid  the  foundation  of  the  Baptist  Society.  In  1805, 
Elder  Elisha  Williams,  Baptist  minister  of  Beverly,  came  here 
to  preach  and  was  .admitted  into  the  new  meeting-house,  there 
being  no  minister  as  yet  for  the  Congregationalists  except 
Rev.  Mr.  Cleaveland,  and  he  aged  and  infirm.  James  Woodbury 
was  the  first  person  baptized  by  immersion,  in  town.  He  was 
a descendant  of  Sarah  Pool,  the  first  wife  of  the  first  John 
Pool  and  he  was  the  first  professor  of  religion  that  settled  in 
Sandy  Bay,  having  joined  the  Orthodox  church  in  Beverly 
some  twelve  years  before.  This  ceremony  of  baptism  took 
place  on  the  back  beach,  near  the  wharf.  Elder  Williams 
officiated. 


68 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


It  was  on  Oct.  30th.  1805,  that  Rev.  David  Jewett  of  Hollis, 
N.  H.,  settled  here  as  minister  of  the  fifth  parish.*  It  seems 
before  he  settled  here  that  he  was  accustomed  to  teach  school, 
for  the  following  advertisement  was  contained  in  a Salem 
paper  of  that  early  day. 

“ New  School. — The  subscriber  will  open  a school  in  Miv  Joseph 
Glover’s  Chamber,  Essex  Street,  for  teaching  the  following  branches, 
viz:  Reading,  Writing,  Mathematics,  Geography,  English  Grammar, 
and  the  Latin  and  Greek  Languages;  the  number  of  scholars  not  to 
exceed  thirty-five.  School  hours,  8 to  11  o’clock  A.  M.  and  2 to  5 P. 
M.  Price  four  dollars  per  quarter. 

April  26th.  1803.  DAVID  JEWETT.” 

Mr.  Jewett  also  taught  school  here  while  he  preached,  at 
first,  and  lived  in  David  Kimball’s  house  and  had  his  school 
there.  It  is  also  known  that  before  settling  here  he  received 
encouragement  to  settle  in  Wenham.  The  ordination  of  Mr. 
Jewett  was  a great  event,  the  people  manifesting  great  interest 
in  the  occasion.  The  old  and  the  young  came  up  to  the 
house  of  God  to  witness  the  interesting  ceremonies.  The 
grey-headed  men  and  women  who  had  so  long  worshipped  in 
the  old  house  now  came  up  to  mingle  their  prayers  and  tears 
once  more  for  the  prosperity  of  Zion,  before  they  go  hence  to 
be  here  no  more.  The  following  churches  with  delegates 
were  present  at  the  ordination:  Tabernacle  Church,  Salem, 
Rev.  Samuel  Worcester  and  delegate;  Second  Church, 
Gloucester,  Rev.  Daniel  Fuller  and  delegate;  Second  Church, 
Newburypoit,  Rev.  Samuel  Spring  and  delegate;  Church  of 
Hollis,  N.  H.,  Rev.  Eli  Smith  and  delegate;  Church  at  Man- 
chester, Rev.  Abraham  Randall  and  delegate;  Second  Church, 
Ipswich,  Rev.  Josiah  Webster  and  delegate;  Third  Church, 
Beverly,  Rev.  Joseph  Emerson  and  delegate;  First  Church, 
Newport,  Rhode  Island,  Rev.  Caleb  T.  Tenney;  Third  Church, 
Gloucester,  Rev.  Ezra  Leonard  and  delegate;  First  Church, 
Gloucester,  Rev.  Percy  Lincoln;  First  Church,  Beverly,  Rev. 
Abiel  Abbott  and  delegate.  The  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Samuel 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


69 


Worcester  of  Salem,  and  the  venerable  Rev.  Daniel  Fuller  of 
Gloucester  was  Moderator  of  the  Council. 

It  is  this  year,  1805,  July  4th.,  that  the  old  paster,  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Cleaveland,  like  Jacob  of  old  gathers  up  his  feet 
into  his  bed  and  dies.  He  had  lived  to  be  over  eighty  years 
old,  and  to  experience  a variety  of  fortune.  His  life  had  been 
a checkered  one.  He  had  seen  the  second  meeting-house 
built  and  dedicated  and  preached  in  it  himself,  when  he  baptized 
nineteen  children  at  one  time,  and  now  he  is  about  to  depart 
to  be  here  no  more,  a hallowed  radiance  surrounds  his  dying 
bed.  When  asked  by  a friend,  at  his  last  dying  hour,  respecting 
his  prospects  for  eternity,  he  calmly  replied  with  a confidence 
sustained  by  Christian  faith:  “I  trust  in  the  same  God  that  I 
did  when  the  bullets  flew  about  my  head,”  referring  to  Revolu- 
tionary scenes.  His  remains  rest  in  yonder  burial  ground, 
with  those  of  the  fathers.  And  posterity  will  rise  up  to  do 
homage  to  his  memory.  His  funeral  ceremonies  were  observed 
in  the  new  meeting-house,  and  also  those  of  his  wife,  the  year 
before.  He  was  a man  much  esteemed  in  his  day  as  a 
Christian  minister.  Easy,  familiar  and  affable  in  his  manners, 
he  adorned  the  doctrine  of  the  gospel  he  had  so  long  preached, 
by  a well  ordered  life  and  godly  conversation. 

In  1806,  fishing  business  continues  good.  Codfish  sell  at 
four  dollars  per  quintal  and  hake  at  three  dollars.  Several 
houses  are  in  process  of  erection. 

In  1807,  the  state  of  public  morals  in  a portion  of  the 
community  may  be  judged  by  the  circumstance  that,  during 
the  exercises  attending  the  immersion  of  two  persons  of  the 
Baptist  persuasion,  some  individuals  of  the  baser  sort,  but 
claiming  respectability,  fired  a cannon  near  the  middle  wharf, 
while  others  paraded  the  streets  and  the  schoolhouse  beach 
with  fife  and  drum,  to  disturb  the  ceremonies.  Here  was 
exhibited,  in  the  most  offensive  form,  the  spirit  of  religious 
intolerance,  the  same  which  in  other  times  had  led  its  victims 
to  the  scaffold  and  the  stake.  But  we  trust  the  influence  of 


CEXTEXXIAL  ADDRESS. 


education  and  Christianity  since  that  day  has  been  such  as  to 
forever  render  impossible  the  repetition  of  such  scenes. 

In  1807,  the  embargo  comes  on.  It  speedily  operates  as  a 
check  on  all  business  on  the  seaboard.  The  two  embargoes 
called  the  long  and  the  short  lasted  nearly  two  years:  during 
this  time  no  vessels  were  cleared  at  the  custom-house,  for  any 
foreign  port.  Our  fishing  interests  suffered  greatly.  Many 
merchant  vessels  in  other  places  were  stripped  and  docked. 
The  busy  marts  of  trade  were  deserted,  the  din  of  business 
hushed,  and  the  long  grass  grew  where  before  the  busy  feet 
of  men  had  trodden.  This  village  felt  sadly  the  reaction. 
Codfish,  which  two  years  before  were  quick  at  four  dollars 
per  quintal,  cash,  were  now  occasionally  exchanged  at  two 
dollars  to  two  and  one  quarter  per  quintal,  for  country 
produce.  No  sale  for  scale  fish;  no  Labrador  or  Bank  cod 
for  exportation.  Thousands  of  quintals  in  other  towns  were 
lost.  Hostilities  between  England  and  France  were  the  cause 
of  this  state  of  things.  Beneath  the  gigantic  tread  of  these 
tw  o hostile  nations,  weaker  nations  were  trodden  in  the  dust. 
But,  notwithstanding  the  depression,  our  fishermen  made  the 
best  of  things,  hoping  soon  for  a change  of  times. 

During  the  stagnation  of  ordinary"  business,  that  iniquitous 
system  of  smuggling  sprang  up.  Some  people  here  engaged 
in  it,  as  I suppose  they  felt  they  must  have  something  to  do 
even  if  it  was  not  the  most  respectable.  To  elude  and  evade 
the  government  officials  in  their  search  for  contraband  goods, 
•some  curious  contrivances  were  resorted  to.  One  person 
from  here,  in  an  eastern  port,  with  contraband  goods  on 
board,  having  discharged  part  of  them  before  his  vessel  was 
taken,  being  on  shore  with  all  of  his  men  (except  one  he  had 
left  on  board  to  keep  ship)  and  all  communication  being  cut 
off,  contrived  to  make  the  officer  believe  that  the  necessities  of 
the  man  on  board  required  that  he  should  be  permitted  to  send 
him  some  provisions.  This  being  granted,  he  enclosed  in  a 
loaf  of  bread  a letter  telling  him  to  seize  the  first  opportunity 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


7 


and  escape  in  the  night  with  the  vessel.  This  he  soon 
accomplished.  On  another  occasion,  the  same  individual  had 
bags  of  coffee  secreted  in  a barn  in  this  place,  near  the  wharves. 
An  officer  found  the  coffee  and  went  to  Gloucester  to  complain 
but,  in  the  meantime,  the  officer  found  on  his  return  the  coffee 
exchanged  for  corn,  except  the  few  bags  he  had  examined. 

It  was  in  1808,  June  18th.,  that  our  fishing  fleet  met  with  a 
violent  gale,  when  three  boats  were  lost  on  Cashes  with  all 
their  crews,  comprising  ten  men.  Widows  and  orphan  children 
mourn  in  silence  as  the  tempest  howls  around  their  dwellings. 
They  tremble  for  the  safety  of  their  husbands  and  fathers, 
and  when  the  melancholy  news  reaches  the  village,  their  pent- 
up  grief  seeks  relief  in  wailings  and  bitter  tears. 

About  this  time,  the  village  is  divided  into  school  districts; 
this  village  is  composed  of  three  and  North  Village  constitutes 
one.  Since  then  the  latter  has  been  divided  into  two.  The  first 
district  schoolhouse  was  now  built  in  this  village.  This  is  the 
time  also  of  the  short  embargo,  so  called,  coming  on  in  1 809 
and  causing  a check  in  business,  but  it  is  soon  over. 

1810  is  principally  noticeable  for  what  was  here  called  the 
cold  Friday,  and  is  now  frequently  spoken  of  as  having  been 
of  unusual  severity,  and  also  for  the  accidental  burning  of  a 
young  woman,  the  next  day,  so  as  to  cause  the  total  loss  of 
her  eyesight  during  life.  Her  name  was  Rachel  Pool. 
Whether  there  was  any  thermometer  in  town,  at  that  time,  to 
mark  the  degree  oP~cold,  we  do  not  know.  All  persons  of 
that  day  concur  in  saying  that  it  was  the  coldest  ever  known 
here.  It  is  this  year,  also,  that  the  embargo  just  spoken  of 
was  taken  off.  This  gives  at  once  a spring  to  business.  All 
the  channels  of  trade  speedily  open  and  commerce  spreads 
her  sails  to  catch  the  favoring  breeze.  The  fishing  interests 
at  once  improve,  the  village  thrives. 

In  1 81 1,  the  Sandy  Bay  Pier  Company  commenced  building 
their  first  wharf,  having  been  incorporated  by  the  Legislature 
the  session  previous.  The  old  wharves  were  demolished  and 


72 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


put  into  the  new  wharf.  The  foundation  of  the  new  wharf  is 
seventy-two  feet  northerly  from  the  old  wooden  wharf  and 
which  had  been  re-built  years  before.  This  new  enterprise 
enlisted  the  efforts  and  energies  of  a good  portion  of  the 
leading  citizens  of  the  place.  • They  saw  that  to  enlarge  their 
business  by  sea  they  must  have  better  accommodations  than 
were  afforded  by  the  old  wharf.  The  fishing  business  was 
now  good  and  all  things  conspired  to  encourage  the  undertaking. 

This  year,  1811,  the  Baptist  Society  was  incorporated. 
Previous  to  this  time,  according  to  the  law,  all  persons  within 
the  limits  of  the  parish  were  subject  to  a tax  to  sustain 
preaching,  where  there  was  an  incorporated  religious  society. 
This  parish  enforced  the  law  and  collected  the  tax  as  other 
taxes  were  collected,  and  it  was  assessed  in  the  same  way 
upon  the  property  of  individuals.  But  this  year  a free  act 
was  passed  by  which  all  persons  who  would  be  exempt  from 
paying  to  the  Parish  Society  were  required  to  organize  them- 
selves into  a religious  society  to  be  known  and  recognized  as 
a separate  religious  incorporated  body.  This  the  Baptists 
did  and  were  therefore  exempt  from  the  parish  tax.  The 
Universalists  were  exempt  because  of  their  connection  with, 
and  paying  to,  the  first  parish  of  Gloucester. 

It  was  the  year  previous  that  Caleb  Pool  acquired  the 
reputation  of  a prophet,  among  the  people,  having  predicted 
an  earthquake  which,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  was  said  to 
have  taken  place  as  predicted,  to  the  wonder  and  astonishment 
of  the  people.  His  views  of  things  wonderful  and  strange 
were  published  by  him  in  a tract. 

In  1812  the  United  States  declared  war  with  England,  but 
its  results  to  this  place  were  not  like  those  of  the  old  war. 
Then  our  country  was  in  its  infancy,  contending  with  a gigantic 
power,  for  a free  and  independent  existence.  Now,  she  is 
herself  a giant  and  able  to  repel  aggression.  Our  fishing 
interests,  with  some  little  interruption,  proved  highly  profitable 
and  the  mass  of  the  people  obtained  a comfortable  living  in 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS . 


73 


peaceful  pursuits,  but  some  for  purposes  of  plunder  and  more 
rapid  gains  embark  in  privateering.  But  what  little  wealth 
was  thus  acquired  was,  in  most  cases,  dissipated  by  habits  of 
extravagance  and  vice  engendered  by  the  war  spirit.  One 
privateer  owned  in  Salem,  named  Cadet,  commanded  at  first 
by  a Capt.  Evans,  and  manned  in  part  from  here,  cruised 
around  this  coast.  She  was  afterwards  commanded  by  Capt. 
David  Elwell  of  this  place.  The  Capt.  was  said  to  have 
cleared  some  twelve  thousand  dollars;  some  of  the  crew,  some 
hundred.  They  never  came  to  an  open  engagement,  but 
occasionally  boarded  some  vessels  and  took  some  prizes. 
During  the  war,  a number  of  our  men  in  other  privateers  and 
others  in  merchant  vessels  found  their  way,  before  the  war 
closed,  in  the  prisons  of  Halifax  and  some  few  in  Dartmoor 
prison,  England.  In  the  latter  prison  were  Benjamin  Colby, 
Joseph  Bailey,  and  one  from  Folly  Cove.  Some  were  in 
Chatham  prison  on  the  Thames,  William  T.  Abbott.  Those 
in  Dartmoor  prison  were  there  at  the  time  of  the  shooting  of 
the  prisoners.  It  was  said  the  prisoners  had  complained  of 
their  bread,  which  is  supposed  to  have  aroused  some  ill 
feeling.  They  were  accustomed  to  exercise  themselves  by 
playing  ball.  One  day  their  ball  went  over  the  wall  into  the 
barracks.  The  soldiers  there  did  not  return  it  as  usual;  when 
some  of  the  prisoners  threatened  to  break  through  the  wall. 
They  were  commanded  to  desist,  by  the  soldiery,  but 
declining,  a fire  was-  opened  upon  the  prisoners  and  seven 
were  killed  and  a large  number  were  wounded.  Our  men 
were  retained  in  prison  some  six  months.  This  was  in  1815. 

The  leading  citizens  of  the  place,  soon  after  the  war  was 
declared,  formed  a Committee  of  Safety  to  have  the  oversight 
of  affairs.  The  English,  privateers  occasionally  ran  into  the 
bay  and  molested  the  coasters  which  had  run  in  under  the 
land  for  protection.  Atone  time,  1813,  one  privateer  fired 
upon  the  inhabitants.  The  people  returned  the  fire  from  Bear 
Skin  Neck  and  the  old  wharf,  with  a long  six  pounder,  carrying 


74 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


a shot  through  her  from  stem  to  stern,  when  she  crawled  off. 
Finding  that  our  coast  was,  from  its  exposed  situation,  to  suffer 
from  the  enemy,  the  inhabitants  deemed  it  advisable,  in  1814, 
to  erect  a fort  on  the  Neck.  This  was  done  by  subscription  at  a 
cost  of  about  six  hundred  dollars.  The  fort  was  mounted  with 
several  cannon,  making  a somewhat  formidable  appearance, 
so  much  as  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  British  cruisers.  It 
was  regarded  by  them  as  a government  fort.  The  English 
frigate  Nymph,  lying  in  the  offing  Sept.  8th.  of  this  year, 
about  midnight  sent  three  barges  in  to  reconnoitre  and,  if 
things  appeared  favorable,  to  make  an  attack.  The  fort  was 
manned  by  nine  men  or  more  detailed  from  a company  of 
about  sixty-four  who  were  drafted  to  protect  interests 
principally  located  at  Gloucester,  at  Stage  Fort,  and  commanded 
by  Capt  Benjamin  Haskell  of  West  Parish.  The  soldiers  had 
eight  dollars  per  month;  those  quartered  here  had  their 
barracks  at  the  old  house,  then  standing  where  the  Union 
Store  now  is,  till  the  watch-house  was  built.  The  English 
were  piloted  into  Long  Cove  by  one  of  our  townsmen,  Capt. 
David  Elwell,  by  command  of  the  enemy  who  had  captured 
his  boat  for  this  purpose.  Three  barges  landed  twenty  men. 
Elwell  led  the  way  to  the  fort.  The  watchman  on  duty  was 
said  to  be  asleep.  The  men  who  were  stationed  at  the  fort 
were  taken  prisoners  and  put  on  board  the  barges.  The 
enemy  spiked  the  two  cannons  and  threw  them  off  the  breast- 
work, then  set  fire  to  the  watch-house  and  left.  One  of  the 
barges,  with  twenty  men,  came  around  to  the  old  dock,  fired 
at  a sloop’s  mast,  then  started  out.  The  meeting-house  bell 
beginning  to  ring  an  alarm,  the  barge  while  passing  out  by 
the  end  of  the  pier  fired  at  the  meeting-house  and  lodged  a 
shot  in  one  of  the  steeple  posts.  This  discharge  started  a 
butt  in  the  bow  of  their  barge,  which  caused  the  crew  to  pull 
for  the  rocks  at  the  back  of  the  pier.  Thirteen  of  them  were 
taken  prisoners;  some  of  them  were  rescued  from  drowning, 
by  being  taken  out  of  the  water.  The  remainder  (except  one 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


7 5 


who  escaped  in  a float  to  the  back  beach  and  ran  into  the 
woods)  passed  over  to  Long  Cove,  took  a fishing  boat  belonging 
to  James  Parsons  and  Wm.  Lurvey,  and  went  off  to  their 
ship,  about  daylight,  in  the  fog.  The  lieutenant  escaped  alone 
in  a whaleboat  to  the  ship.  The  prisoners  were  well  cared 
for  by  the  Committee  of  Safety,  in  the  old  house  of  James 
Tarr,  standing  then  where  the  house  of  Dea.  Thomas  Giles 
now  stands,  near  the  Great  Hill.  At  evening  they  were 
marched  to  Pigeon  Cove,  the  one  in  the  woods  till  now  joining 
them,  and  they  were  sent  on  board  the  frigate  in  Capt.  Daniel 
Wheeler’s  boat,  the  captain  having  previously  sent  word  by  a 
vessel  he  had  captured,  that  he  would  willingly  exchange 
men  of  ours  and  release  some  Americans  whom  he  had  on 
board.  The  captain  sent  our  men  back  and  some  others  and 
also  gave  up  the  fishing  boat  to  James  Parsons,  and  from  that 
time  while  stationed  off  the  coast  he  gave  the  fishermen  liberty 
to  fish  unmolested.  Among  the  prisoners  sent  back  on 
exchange  were  the  nine  from  the  fort,  Capt.  Elwell  and  two 
Salem  men.  While  the  English  prisoners  were  in  custody 
here,  orders  came  from  Salem  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  to 
surrender  up  the  prisoners  but  our  people  judged  it  best  that 
they  should  be  exchanged  for  Americans  and  they  thought 
that  this  course  would  conciliate  the  Capt.  and  prevent  further 
trouble,  which  proved  to  be  the  case.  The  other  barge,  I 
would  further  say  to  complete  the  history  of  the  affair.,  that 
left  the  fort,  on  hearing  the  firing  of  the  barge  in  the  dock,  at 
the  meeting-house,  rowed  into  the  bay  but  was  driven  back  by 
the  three  persons  firing  small  arms  at  them.  This  barge 
returned  the  fire  with  a six  pounder;  three  shots  were  exchanged; 
no  one  was  injured.  The  sunken  barge  was  raised  and  given 
to  the  owner  of  the  stolen  whaleboat,  P^benezer  Davis,  and 
was  in  use  for  years  and  I believe  was  a valuable  boat.  She 
was  well  built  and  copper  fastened.  The  small  arms,  pistols 
and  cutlasses  were  divided  by  the  Committee  of  Safety.  The 


76 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


cannon  of  the  sunken  barge  is  yet  retained  as  town  property 
and  is  fired  on  great  occasions. 

About  this  time  during  the  war,  the  frigate  Leander  came 
in  near  the  Folly  Cove  and  fired  several  shots  and  attempted 
to  land  for  the  purpose  of  watching  a small  craft  which  was 
there.  The  people  mustered  to  prevent  their  landing.  The 
Company  from  this  village,  called  the  Sea  Fencibles,  about 
sixty  men,  marched  to  the  scene  of  expected  conflict,  with  a 
nine  pounder  and  twTo  six  pounders  and  small  arms,  the  old 
Revolutionary  soldiers  going  with  them.  The  Gloucester 
militia  were  also  on  hand,  Col.  James  Appleton  commanding. 
When  they  arrived  they  disputed  the  landing  of  the  barge. 
Then  a flag  of  truce  was  sent  in  but  the  Colonel  replied  in  a 
letter  that  they  could  not  allow  of  their  landing  for  any  such 
purpose  as  proposed,  and  that  he  did  not  fear  their  threats. 
The  frigate  soon  after  stood  off'. 

There  is  a story  told  of  one  Epes  Woodbury  of  this  cove 
who  boarded  an  American  privateer,  supposing  her  to  be  an 
English  vessel  which  had  taken  his  boat  and  retained  her 
skipper.  He  took  with  him  a quarter  of  veal  as  a present, 
thinking  to  secure  the  release  of  his  skipper.  The  Yankee 
captain  distrusted  his  motives  and,  supposing  him  to  be  a 
Tory,  he  mixed  a strong  dose  of  jalap  in  the  grog  he  gave 
him  and  sent  him  away.  It  operated  powerfully  and  prostrated 
him  very  much.  His  suspicions  were  probably  groundless. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark  that,  notwithstanding  many  men  of 
the  town  were  in  various  ways  engaged  in  the  war,  but  two 
are  said  to  have  lost  their  lives,  Samuel  Lane  and  Joseph 
Tucker  Jr.,  and  it  is  somewhat  doubtful  about  the  first. 

In  February  1815,  the  news  of  the  ratification  of  the  Treaty 
of  Peace  was  received  with  demonstrations  of  general  rejoicing, 
most  of  the  dwellings  being  brilliantly  illuminated.  Thomas 
Knights  Jr.  was  at  the  Harbor  when  the  news  arrived  by  a 
messenger  on  horseback.  The  horse  was  all  foaming  with 
sweat.  He  had  to  pay  twenty-five  cents  for  a handbill 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


77 


containing  the  news,  and  returning  home  he  met  Col.  Isaac 
Dennison  on  the  Great  Hill.  He  gave  him  the  handbill  and 
the  Colonel  brought  it  here. 

It  was  in  1815  that  Joseph  Bolles  Manning,  after  practising 
law  in  Ipswich  a few  years,  located  here;  he  was  the  oldest 
son  of  Dr.  John' Manning. 

By  a singular  coincidence  this  general  rejoicing  for  the 
cessation  of  the  war  with  England  was  here  followed  with  a 
proclamation  of  war  against  another  king,  more  formidable 
than  the  King  of  England  to  the  peace  and  welfare  of  this 
people.  This  was  King  Alcohol  who  had  slain  his  hundreds 
among  our  people.  An  organization  was  here  and  then 
formed,  called  the  Moral  Society.  Its  object  was  to  discourage 
vice  and  especially  to  check  the  excessive  use  of  ardent  spirits 
among  the  people.  This  was  our  first  movement  on  temperance 
and  the  germ  of  all  subsequent  efforts  to  check  the  sway  of 
Alcohol.  It  was  at  first  regarded  by  its  friends  as  a doubtful 
experiment,  but  accessions- were  soon  made  in  the  cause.  All 
traders  were  then  engaged  in  the  traffic.  At  one  time  it  was 
said  that  twenty-five  places  were  known  to  have  it  on  sale. 
Opposition  was  soon  aroused;  the  church  was  infected  with 
the  malady:  resistance  grew  clamorous.  Some  rowdy  spirits 
celebrate  the  grog  act,  so  called.  They  marched  about  town 
in*  defence  of  their  king  and  their  rights.  The  pulpit,  filled 
with  a faithful  sentinel,  thundered  the  tocsin  of  alarm  and 
called  to  arms.  Freedom’s  hosts  grew  stronger.  The  enemy 
disputed  every  inch  of  ground.  The  church  girds  on  her 
armor  anew.  The  people  rally  to  the  cause  of  freedom,  and 
from  that  day  to  this  the  contest  has  been  waxing  warm  and 
eventually  we  trust  will  triumph. 

The  fishing  interests  of  this  year,  1815,  were  the  most 
prosperous  of  any  previous  year.  Codfish  brought  readily 
five  dollars  per  quintal,  sold  in  New  York  at  six  dollars  per 
quintal  subject  to  a discount  of  five  per  cent,  for  specie.  It 
was  this  year  that  the  New  York  trade  commenced.  Nehemiah 


78 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


Knowlton  sailed  in  the  Sch.  Java,  the  second  time,  and  cleared 
six  hundred  dollars.  The  Pier  Company  now  built  the  south- 
west wharf  in  order  to  make  vessels  more  safe  for  the  landing 
of  wood  and  lumber.  This  was  also  the  year  of  the  terrific 
gale  called  the  hurricane,  severely  felt  here  and  in  the  harbor. 
Trees  were  prostrated  and  also  some  buildings. 

1816  was  noted  as  a remarkably  cold  year:  little  or  no  corn 
grew  and  farming  generally  was  a failure.  The  following 
.winter  was  regarded  as  colder  than  any  since  1779 — 80. 

In  1817,  His  Majesty  the  sea-serpent  honored  this  port  with 
his  first  visit.  He  exhibited  himself  to  the  inhabitants  on 
several  occasions,  much  to  the  admiration  and  gratification  of 
the  people. 

The  schooner  Washington  this  year  arrived  from  the  West 
Indies  and  smuggled  her  cargo  consisting  principally  of  rum, 
in  the  village.  It  was  stowed  away  in  barns,  wood-piles  and 
fish-houses.  A man  by  the  name  of  Ladd,  then  living  at  Mr. 
Solomon  Pool’s,  complained  at  the  custom-house.  The  officers 
took  the  goods  and  carried  them  off.  It  cost  Mr.  Pool  five 
hundred  dollars  to  clear  himself  from  his  liabilities,  and  Mr. 
Joseph  Smith  barely  escaped  the  loss  of  a like  sum.  The 
schooner  was  principally  owned  by  a Mr.  Boyd  of  West 
Parish.  She  was  carried  up  the  East  River  and  scuttled  but 
after  awhile  she  was  raised  and  sold.  The  schooner  Dover, 
at  this  time  owned  here,  sailed  to  the  West  Indies  and  on 
return  made  a voyage  to  the  straits  at  Leghorn  but  the  owners 
did  not  find  it  profitable  and  the  trade  was  abandoned.  A 
fishing  boat  sailed  also  to  the  West  Indies  from  here  but 
never  returned.  This  same  year,  1817,  the  middle  wharf  was 
built,  the  three  wharves  costing  about  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

In  1818,  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  were  raised  by 
subscription  to  enlarge  the  old  burying-ground  and  re-set  the 
walls. 

There  was,  this  year,  some  talk  respecting  the  propriety  of 
being  set  off  from  Gloucester  as  a separate  town.  The  number 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


79 


of  inhabitants  of  the  South  Village  was  then  found  to  be  (1506) 
one  thousand  five  hundred  and  six,  having  nearly  doubled  in 
twenty-two  years.  There  were  about  one  hundred  and  sixty 
dwelling-houses. 

In  May  of  this  year,  1818,  commenced  the  organization  of 
that  grand  movement,  the  Sabbath  School,  (thirty-five  years 
ago)  which  has  so  richly  blest  the  youth  and  children  of  this 
place  during  the  past  generation.  This  school  originated  in 
the  Congregationalist  society,  it  being  the  only  organized 
society  at  that  time  having  a meeting-house.  The  other 
religious  societies  gradually  adopted  the  arrangement  as 
circumstances  enabled  them.  In  1821  the  Universalist  Society 
was  incorporated,  or  rather  organized.  They  have  been 
previously  mentioned  as  the  Independent  Society.  They 
retained  their  connection  with  the  first  parish  of  Gloucester, 
having  preaching  here  at  intervals,  until  they  became  incor- 
porated as  a society.  In  1822  the  Baptist  Society  commenced 
building  their  meeting-house,  having  been  incorporated  some 
years  before.  Their  first  settled  pastor  was  James  A.  Boswell 
of  N.  H.  This  society,  we  have  seen,  had  its  origin  as  early 
as  1 804  and  during  the  space  of  eighteen  years  till  the  erection 
of  their  meeting-house  they  had  occasional  preaching. 

There  was  no  formal  dedication  of  the  house  but  at  its 
opening  an  appropriate  discourse  was  delivered  by  the  pastor, 
Rev.  J.  A.  Boswell. 

It  may  seem  strange  to  some  that  we  should  pause  to 
commemorate  the  death  of  a tree,  and  yet  it  was  this  year 
that  the  monarch  of  the  forest  of  this  place  was  laid  in  the 
dust.  It  had  stood  for  ages  as  a landmark  in  Pool’s  pasture. 
The  great  elm  was,  according  to  estimate,  one  hundred  feet 
high  with  branches  spreading  in  proportion;  it  was  eighteen 
feet  in  circumference  five  feet  up.  It  is  a matter  of  regret 
that  this  venerable  tree  was  not  permitted  to  stand  as  a 
conspicuous  memento  of  the  past.  Have  we  not  reason  to 
believe  that  it  stood  in  all  its  majesty  and  pride  ere  a European 


8o 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


set  foot  upon  our  soil?  It  may  be  was  the  first  landmark 
that  caught  the  eye  of  that  bold  navigator,  Capt.  Smith, 
in  1614.  It  is  fitting  that  such  venerable  objects  of  antiquity 
should  be  cherished  and  preserved.  Think  you  the  Charter 
Oak  or  the  Big  Elm  on  Boston  Common  are  not  objects  of 
veneration?  or  the  Washington  Elm  at  Cambridge?  They 
mark  historic  events,  hence  the  interest  that  was  taken  for 
their  preservation.  There  is  something  in  antiquity  which  to 
the  meditative  mind  begets  veneration  and  respect.  Who 
would  not  esteem  it  a privilege  to  commune  with  the  old 
patriarchs  who  laid  the  foundations  of  our  town?  Something 
of  this  pleasure,  no  doubt,  would  arise  if  we  of  this  generation 
could  sit  in  the  shadow  of  that  old  elm  and  hold  converse 
with  the  ages  past.  For  one  I can  never  look  upon  such 
objects  of  antiquity  without  being  reminded  of  the  shortness 
of  time,  the  insignificance  of  the  works  of  man  and  the  bound- 
lessness of  eternity. 

In  1822,  Dr.  Charles  Bolles  Manning  began  practise  here 
with  his  father,  Dr.  John  Manning. 

In  1823,  the  valuation  of  Sandy  Bay  was  $192,000,  being 
a gain  of  $142,000  in  twenty-seven  years. 

In  the  year  1822  was  commenced  the  manufacture  of 
isinglass,  by  Mr.  Wm.  Hall,  from  hake  sounds,  with  wooden 
rollers  worked  by  hand,  this  being  the  only  place  of  its 
manufacture  in  the  U.  S.  until  recently.  It  proved  a lucrative 
business  to  the  owners.  It  is  this  year,  1824,  that  we  hear  for 
the  first  time  of  the  stone  business.  Mr.  Nehemiah  Knowlton 
first  seeks  a market  for  stone.  He  advertised  about  five 
hundred  tons  of  stone  for  sale,  in  a Boston  paper.  Major 
Bates,  noticing  this  advertisement,  was  led  to  Sandy  Bay 
where  he  soon  began  the  stone  business  which  has  proved  a 
leading  business  of  the  town.  Some  $200,000  worth  of  stone 
was  sold  during  the  year  1853.  Fifteen  or  twenty  sloops 
have  been  employed  and  some  three  hundred  men. 

In  1825  a post  office  was  established  here  for  the  first 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


81 


time.  Winthrop  Pool  was  appointed  postmaster.  The  mail 
was  at  the  first  brought  twice  a week.  In  the  course  of  two 
years  it  came  daily.  Previous  to  the  establishment  of  the 
post  office  here,  it  was  very  inconvenient  to  depend  upon  the 
Harbor  office.  Up  to  this  time  but  some  half  dozen  newspapers 
were  taken  in  town. 

The  exports  from  this  place,  this  year,  1825,  were  14,875 
quintals  of  fish,  3,283  barrels  of  mackerel,  1,093  barrels  of 
oil.  The  vessels  owned  here  were  forty  fishing  schooners, 
twenty-one  boats  from  fifteen  to  twenty  tons  and  twenty-three 
coasting  vessels,  part  of  them  in  the  New  York  trade,  one  in 
the  West  India  trade.  This  was  the*  great  mackerel  year. 
More  mackerel  were  landed  this  year  than  in  any  other  year 
before  or  since.  One  vessel  landed  more  than  1600  barrels. 

In  1827,  the  enterprise  of  the  citizens  leads  to  the 
establishment  of  a Mutual  Marine  Insurance  Company, 
consisting  of  thirty-six  shares. 

In  1829,  the  Universalist  meeting-house  was  erected,  June 
24th.  The  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone  and  depositing 
suitable  documents  was  duly  observed  on  the  occasion.  Oct. 
8th.  Rev.  Thos.  Jones  preached  the  dedicatory  sermon.  Their 
first  settled  pastor  was  Rev.  Lucius  R.  Page,  in  1830. 

It  was  this  year,  1829,  that  the  first  fire-engine  for  Sandy 
Bay  was  procured,  three  hundred  and  fifteen  dollars  having 
been  raised  by  subscription  for  that  purpose. 


In  1830  the  population  here  was  1783,  voters  475,  families 
336,  taxes  $2,352.42. 

At  Whale  Cove,  this  year  (1830),  was  cast  away  a Nantucket 


but  was  rescued  alive  by  cutting  a hole  in  the  deck  to  get  her 
out.  She  was  carried  up  to  Mr.  Joseph  Smith’s  where  she 
gradually  recovered. 

Dea.  Solomon  Pool  lost  his  house  by  fire,  this  year,  said  to 
have  been  the  first  dwelling-house  that  was  ever  destroyed 
here  by  fire. 


sloop.  A woman  was  confined  in  the  cabin  for  several  hours 


82 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


The  Baptist  association  was  convened  here  this  year  (1830) 
and  the  Rev.  David  Jewett  preached  in  the  Baptist  meeting- 
house for  the  first  time. 

The  Lyceum  was  first  organized  this  year.  Dr.  Adams 
Nichols  located  here  this  year.  He  remained  about  three 
years,  when  he  and  four  other  families  removed  to  Quincy, 
Illinois.  Dr.  Joseph  Reynolds  succeeded  Nichols.  He  was 
from  N.  H.;  he  came  in  1833,  remained  about  six  years  and 
removed  to  Gloucester. 

In  1831,  the  old  pier  was  repaired  and  extended  at  a cost 
of  some  fifteen  hundred  dollars.  In  1831,  Pigeon  Cove 
breakwater  was  built  at  a cost  of  about  thirty  thousand  dollars. 

In  1832,  the  Methodist  Society  was  organized;  its  origin 
was  a number  of  years  previous.  Their  first  chapel  was  not 
built  till  1838;  dedicatory  sermon  by  Rev.  L.  B.  Griffin  of 
Gloucester,  the  same  year.  Their  first  minister  was  Rev. 
Ezra  Washburn. 

In  1835,  the  Government  erected  a light-house  on  Straits- 
mouth  Island.  Mr.  Benjamin  W.  Andrews  was  appointed 
first  light-keeper.  In  1836,  the  Government  commenced  the 
breakwater  and  up  to  this  time  have  expended  some  sixty-eight 
thousand  dollars  on  the  same. 

This  year,  Rev.  David  Jewett,  who  had  officiated  as  pastor 
of  the  Congregational  Church  for  thirty-one  years,  was 
dismissed  on  account  of  the  failure  of  his  health,  and  Rev. 
Wakefield  Gale  was  installed  in  his  place,  May  4th.,  with 
appropriate  and  interesting  ceremonies;  sermon  by  Rev:  Wm. 
M.  Rogers  of  Boston.  Rev.  David  Jewett  was  a faithful  and 
laborious  minister  of  the  gospel  during  the  long  period  of  his 
ministry.  His  church  gained  in  numbers  and  efficiency. 
When  he  began  his  ministry,  there  were  but  two  male  members 
of  the  church,  viz:  Stephen  Pool  and  Dea.  Rowe.  Female 
members  were  but  few,  Anna  Grover  and  Betty  Tarr  were  the 
principal;  all  of  them  in  the  service  for  many  years  and  now 
feeling  the  infirmities  of  age.  The  poor  and  the  afflicted  ever 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


83 


found  in  him  a warm  friend  who  could  sympathize  with  them 
in  all  their  sorrows.  He  has  erected  a monument  in  the 
affections  of  his  people,  which  will  transmit  his  memory  to 
posterity.  It  is  said  that  he  fondly  cherished  the  thought 
that  at  last  his  remains  would  repose  in  yonder  burial  ground, 
that  he  might  rise  at  the  Resurrection  with  those  to  whom  he 
had  so  long  preached  the  gospel.  He  died  at  Waltham, 
Mass.,  July  14th.  1841,  where  he  resided  with  his  daughter 
and  son-in-law,  having  been  in  poor  health  for  some  years. 
He  was  buried  at’ Marblehead  where  repose  the  remains  of 
his  wife  and  many  of  her  friends. 

It  was  the  year  1841  that  your  speaker  commenced  the 
practice  of  medicine  here  in  his  native  town.  Dr.  Benjamin 
Haskell  established  himself  here  in  the  same  profession,  also 
a native,  in  the  year  1839. 

March  6th.  1839,  the  inhabitants  of  this  place  meet  to 
consider  the  question  of  being  set  off  from  Gloucester  and 
becoming  a separate  town;  seventy-eight  voted  for  it  and  three 
against  it.  A committee  of  two  from  each  school  district  was 
raised  to  call  upon  all  the  voters  and. get  the  yeas  or  nays  on 
the  question.  Result,  319  yeas;  54  nays.  April  5th.  1839, 
a committee,  viz:  George  D.  Hale,  James  Haskell,  John  W. 
Marshall,  Nehemiah  Knowlton  and  Reuben  Dade,  was  chosen 
to  meet  the  committee  of  Gloucester  Harbor,  to  consider  the 
terms  of  separation.  Dec.  7 th.  1839,  the  terms  of  separation 
having  been  agreed^  upon,  a committee  of  five  was  raised  to 
report  a name  or  names  for  the  new  town,  for  the  consideration 
of  the  people.  Eben’r.  Pool,  Amos  Story  Jr.,  Daniel  Wheeler, 
Thomas  O.  Marshall  and  James  Haskell  were  the  committee. 
They  reported  the  following  names  to  be  voted  upon:  East 
Gloucester,  Rockport,  Granite,  Brest,  Cape  Ann.  These 
names  had  the  following  votes:  East  Gloucester,  seven; 
Rockport,  twenty-four;  Granite,  two;  Brest,  eight;  Cape  Ann, 
twenty-two.  The  house  was  divided  to  try  the  name  Rockport: 
vote,  36,  43.  A new  committee  was  now  chosen  to  bring  two 


84 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


names  forward,  voting  that  the  highest  should  be  the  name. 
Rockport  and  Granite  were  reported;  Voted,  40  for  Rockport, 
10  for  Granite. 

January  1st.  1840,  the  Congregational  Church,  which  had 
been  remodelled  the  previous  year,  at  an  expense  of  $8000, 
was  dedicated,  Rev.  Wakefield  Gale  preaching  the  dedicatory 
sermon  from  the  text  Psalms  116:  7.  The  exercises  were 
deeply  interesting. 

It  was  this  year,  1 840,  that  the  villages  of  Sandy  Bay  and 
Pigeon  Cove  were  incorporated  under  the  name  of  Rockport. 
The  territory  consists  of  about  four  thousand  acres  or  six  and 
one-fourth  square  miles.  The  line  run  from  Folly  Cove,  on 
a southerly  course  across  the  Cape,  to  Long  or  Starknought 
harbor  beach,  about  four  and  a half  miles.  From  Gap  Head 
on  a westerly  course  to  Gloucester  line  is  about  four  miles; 
from  the  sea-shore  to  the  west  of  Thacher’s  Island,  on  a 
south-west  line,  to  Gloucester  line,  about  two  to  two  and  one- 
quarter  miles;  from  Folly  Cove  to  Halibut  Point,  from  one 
and  one-half  to  two  miles.  Taxes  this  year  were  $3566.95; 
population,  2,650.  The  Long  Cove  wharf  was  built  this  year, 
at  a cost  of  about  thirty-five  thousand  dollars.  From  this  year 
much  attention  was  paid  to  the  cultivation  of  fruit  trees;  some 
years  the  products  have  been  three  thousand  barrels  of  apples. 

This  year,  the  Congregational  meeting-house  was  struck  by 
lightning,  during  service  time  on  the  Sabbath,  making  a terrific 
explosion  and  necessarily  causing  much  alarm  to  the  audience. 
It  was  about  the  close  of  the  service  and  the  minister  delayed 
a few  minutes  at  the  close  because  the  rain  came  down  so 
profusely,  lest  the  people  should  be  exposed  to  the  shower. 
The  stroke  seems  to  have  been  divided,  as  the  weather-board 
on  the  northern  corner  was  shattered  and  knocked  off,  and 
the  ground  in  the  rear  of  the  house  was  plowed  up  by  the 
electricity  as  it  followed  the  rod  from  the  front  to  the  rear. 

In  1842,  Dr.  John  Manning  of  Waldoboro,  Maine,  began 
practice  here. 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS . 


85 


In  1841,  the  sea-wall  of  Pigeon  Cove  harbor  was  destroyed 
by  a severe  storm,  and  most  of  the  vessels  suffered  a great 
loss. 

In  1842  and  ’43,  business  was  flourishing;  many  dwelling- 
houses  were  erected. 

Dec.  3d.  1 843,  occurred  the  great  fire;  three  dwelling-houses, 
two  barns  and  several  outhouses  were  destroyed. 

In  1848,  the  Mt.  Pleasant  House  went  into  operation, 
designed  principally  to  accommodate  summer  visitors,  as  the 
town  was  fast  acquiring  a reputation  as  a watering  place, 
especially  the  North  Village  (Pigeon  Cove)  which  as  early  as 
1840  and  ’42  had  some  distinguished  visitors,  viz:  Richard 
H.  Dana  and  Wm.  C.  Bryant,  who  have  ever  ranked  high 
among  our  American  poets;  also  Mr.  Bracket,  a noted  sculptor, 
who  here  moulded  a bust  of  Mr.  Bryant,  in  the  old  Wheeler 
tavern  then  kept  by  Mr.  Wm.  Norwood  Jr.  who  afterwards, 
when  company  increased,  left  the  old  place  and  moved  up  the 
hill  the  north  side  of  the  Cove,  where  the  Pigeon  Cove  House 
now  stands.  From  that  time  to  the  present,  Pigeon  Cove 
especially  has  been  acquiring  celebrity  as  a summer  resort. 

In  1847,  one  of  the  greatest  enterprises  of  the  town  was 
undertaken,  viz:  the  erection  of  the  cotton  mill.  This  was  a 
gigantic  effort  for  the  people  who  engaged  in  it,  as  it  drew 
largely  upon  their  pecuniary  resources  and  in  some  instances 
to  their  serious  injury.  But  it  was  entered  upon  with  good 
intentions,  having  in- view  not  only  their  individual  interests, 
but  the  well-being  of  the  town  and  business  in  general. 

From  1 848  to  1 850,  some  fifty  young  men  became  interested 
here  in  the  gold  excitement  of  California  and  the  country 
generally,  and  left  for  the  land  of  gold. 

In  1851,  the  town  felt  the  importance  of  making  some  new 
provision  for  the  maintenance  of  the  poor.  Some  land  was 
purchased  and  a poorhouse  erected,  which  will  probably  be 
an  advantage  to  the  town.  Following  in  the  line  of  these 
new  movements,  was  the  establishment  of  a bank  this  year. 


86 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


The  completion  of  these  three  enterprises  has  added  much  to 
the  importance  of  the  town  and  increased  its  business  to  a 
large  extent.  The  express  business  here  was  begun  in  1 849, 
by  Edward  H.  Shaw,  and  in  1850  Roman  Catholicism  was  first 
introduced  by  a meeting  of  a priest,  at  Mr.  Caleb  Norwood’s 
hall. 

In  1852,  among  the  events  that  may  be  noticed,  was  the 
occurrence  of  an  earthquake  in  this  vicinity.  On  Saturday, 
November  27th.,  at  twenty  minutes  to  12  o’clock  M.,  the  sky 
was  clear  and  the  wind  light  from  N.  W.  The  roar,  at  first 
like  the  noise  of  a carriage  approaching  from  a distance  on 
frozen  ground,  gradually  increased  in  volume,  shaking  and 
jarring  the  houses  and  doors.  The  sound  seemed  to  pass 
from  a northerly  to  a south-easterly  direction,  lasting  nearly 
half  a minute.  The  newspapers  spoke  of  it  as  having  been 
heard  over  an  area  of  fifty  miles. 

Joseph  Manning,  a native  of  Waldoboro,  Maine,  grandson 
of  Dr.  John  Manning  senior,  and  son  of  Dr.  John  Manning 
junior,  began  the  practise  of  medicine,  in  Rockport,  in  1852. 
The  same  year,  Oscar  D.  Abbott  established  himself  here  in 
medical  practice. 

Now,  Jan.  1st.  1854,  we  look  backward  over  a space  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty-four  years  since  the  settlement  began, 
with  gratitude  that  from  obscurity  we  have  risen  to  our 
present  position  of  importance,  our  valuation  being  now 
upwards  of  $1,000,000,  with  many  of  the  appliances  and 
facilities  which  would  seem,  with  proper  improvement,  to 
guarantee  a prosperous  future.  One  hundred  years  ago,  our 
territory  contained  less  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants; 
now,  we  number  some  three  thousand  five  hundred.  In  this 
brief  survey  of  our  history,  we  have  aimed  to  note  some  of 
its  most  prominent  features.  We  have  contemplated  the 
trials  struggles  and  difficulties  attendant  upon  those  early 
times.  We  have  seen  how  the  causes  of  religion  and  education 
from  small  beginnings  have  gradually  won  their  way  to  their 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS . 


87 


present  position.  Previous  to  1797,  few  parents  aspired  to 
the  thought  of  educating  their  children  for  any  of  the  professions 
of  law,  medicine,  divinity  or  teaching,  but  now,  for  years 
previous  to  the  present  time,  a professional  education  of  some 
kind  has  been  the  one  ambition  of  our  sons  and  daughters. 
(Since  about  the  year  1800,  some  fifteen  of  our  sons  have 
received  a college  education.)  Then  the  condition  of  the 
people  did  not  allow  of  great  projects  for  improvement.  Now, 
not  content  with  piers,  breakwaters,  factories  and  banks, 
their  posterity  propose,  for  the  prosperity  of  the  town,  to  be 
connected  by  a chain  of  railroad  to  the  surrounding  country, 
the  survey  of  which  has  just  been  completed. 

In  our  retrospect  of  the  past,  we  behold  the  guiding  hand 
of  Providence  disposing  and  arranging  events  for  the 
accomplishment  of  His  wise  and  beneficent  designs.  Be  it 
ours  to  co-operate  in  the  furtherance  of  His  purposes  for 
good  for  the  coming  future,  that  they  may  be  transmitted  to 
the  latest  posterity.  We  live  in  a world  of  change.  How 
vividly  are  we  impressed  with  this  fact,  by  this  retrospect! 
The  same  heavens  indeed  are  over  our  heads,  the  same  ocean 
washes  our  shores.  The  same  sun  shines  as  brilliantly,  and 
the  moon  looks  forth  from  as  beautiful  a sky  as  when  our 
ancestors  dwelt  here.  As  we  look  above  we  see  no  changes 
in  the  firmament;  as  we  look  upon  the  sea,  the  same  blue 
waters  roll  and  dash  beneath  our  feet.  God  and  His  works 
remain.  But  change  has  passed  upon  the  soil  upon  which 
we  tread.  These  fields  that  once  waved  with  towering  forests 
or  resounded  with  the  woodman’s  axe  have  long  since  been 
subdued  by  the  hand  of  cultivation,  and  where  once  brooded 
the  stillness  and  silence  of  nature,  now  are  heard  the  din  and 
noise  of  business.  The  barrenness  and  sterility  of  nature 
have  given  place  to  the  productiveness  of  human  industry. 
But  still  onward  are  the  mutations  that  time  has  wrought. 

We  are  led  to  ask:  Our  fathers,  where  are  they?  They 
sleep  in  the  dust.  Ages  have  passed  since  they  were  laid  in 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESS. 


88 

their  graves.  The  dwellings  of  most  of  them  have  ceased  to 
exist.  Their  memory  even  hardly  lingers  in  the  minds  of 
their  posterity.  Man  dies  and  is  forgotten  and  the  places 
that  once  knew  him  know  him  no  more  forever,  and  so  will 
it  be  with  us.  How  humbling  to  the  pride  of  man!  What 
shadows  we  are,  and  what  shadows  we  pursue: 

“Like  snow-flakes  falling  on  the  river, 

A moment  seen,  then  gone  forever.” 

Yes,  this  audience  that  now  hears,  and  he  who  addresses 
you  on  this  occasion,  will  all  sleep  in  the  dust.  When  another 
hundred  years  shall  have  rolled  away  into  eternity,  and  another 
person  shall  compile  its  history,  no  one  of  this  large  audience, 
it  may  be  safe  to  say,  will  be  there  to  hear  its  recital.  We 
shall  have  descended  to  the  grave;  our  names,  many  of  them, 
will  have  passed  from  the  memory  of  men.  Here  and  there, 
indeed,  a moss-grown  stone  may  point  the  inquirer  to  the  last 
resting-place  of  some  of  us,  whose  memory  tender  affection 
has  rescued  from  oblivion.  Solemn  thought,  and  is  this  the 
end  of  our  hopes?  Have  we  no  higher  aim  than  to  live  to 
gratify  the  pride  of  life?  Is  there  not  a nobler  life  for  which 
to  live?  Yes,  blessed  be  God!  Let  us  profit  by  the  lesson 
which  this  survey  of  the  flight  of  years  conveys  to  us  all. 
Let  us  hear  the  voice  that  sounds  along  the  track  of  time. 
This  life  is  fleeting  and  transient,  but  the  life  beyond  is  lasting 
and  permanent.  Let  us  live  for  that  better  life  so  gloriously 
set  forth  in  the  gospel. 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKFORT. 


89 


CHAPTER  I. 


The  following  list  probably 

coyitains  most  of  the  names 

men  who  lived  in  Sandy  Bay  from  1690  to  1755. 

Richard  Tarr, 

Samuel  Wonson, 

William  Tarr, 

Edmund  Grover, 

Caleb  Tarr, 

Nehemiah  Grover, 

Benjamin  Tarr, 

Ebenezer  Grover, 

Benjamin  Tarr  Jr., 

Eleazar  Grover, 

John  Pool, 

Samuel  Clark, 

Joshua  Pool, 

Samuel  Clark  2d., 

Ebenezer  Pool, 

William  Clark, 

Caleb  Pool, 

Henry  Witham, 

Jonathan  Pool, 

Thomas  Dresser, 

Francis  Pool, 

John  Rowe, 

Stephen  Pool, 

Elias  Cook, 

James  Pool, 

Stephen  Butler, 

Jacob  Pool, 

Thomas  Goss, 

Peter  Emmons, 

John  Hobson, 

Peter  Bennett, 

Eleazar  Lurvey, 

John  Davis, 

Job  Lane, 

Samuel  Davis, 

Joshua  Norwood, 

Samuel  Davis  4th., 

James  Parsons, 

Jabez  Baker, 

Thomas  Finson, 

Jabez  Baker  Jr., 

Joseph  Thurston, 

John  Wonson, 

Ephraim  Sheldon, 

John  Blatchford, 

Israel  Sheldon, 

Joshua  Rendall, 

Daniel  Williams, 

Edward  Jumper, 

James  Hardy, 

John  Babson, 

Thomas  Oakes, 

Thomas  Harris, 

Thomas  Harris  Jr. 

Samuel  Harris, 

po 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKPOR  T. 


Roll  of  Capt.  Rowe's  Company , engaged  in  the  Battle  of  Bunkei 

Hill , June  iyth.  ijjg. 

John  Rowe,  captain, 

John  Clark,  ' 

Mark  Pool,  1st.  lieutenant, 

Joseph  Lane, 

Eben’r.  Cleaveland,  2nd.  lieut. 

James  Lurvey, 

Daniel  Barber  Tarr,  sergeant, 

Francis  Lane, 

William  Haskins,  “ 

Samuel  Low, 

William  Daylon,  “ 

Hugh  Parkhurst, 

William  Foster,  “ 

Henry  Morgan, 

Jonathan  Rowe,  corporal, 

Henry  Parsons, 

Thomas  Finson,  “ 

Joseph  Parsons, 

John  Gott,  “ 

Jeffrey  Parsons, 

William  Lowe,  “ 

John  Rowe,  Jr., 

Benjamin  Davis,  drummer, 

Joshua  Rowe, 

Isaac  Haskell,  fifer, 

Peter  Richardson, 

Jacob  Allen, 

William  Rowe, 

Obadiah  Atkins, 

Daniel  Somes, 

David  Averill, 

John  Smith, 

Eleazar  Butman, 

Ephraim  Sheldon, 

Daniel  Butler, 

John  Tarr, 

David  Crage, 

John  Tarr,  Jr., 

Henry  Clark, 

James  Tarr, 

Daniel  Doyle, 

Jabez  Tarr, 

Dominicus  Davis, 

William  Woodbury, 

Samuel  Clark, 

Ebenezer  Witham, 

Joseph  Dresser, 

Spencer  Thomas, 

Richard  Dresser, 

Jonathan  Parsons, 

Thomas  Dresser, 

Peter  Emmons, 

Caleb  Elwell, 

Thomas  Edes, 

James  Phipps, 

John  Youlin, 

Ebenezer  Gott, 

John  Parrott, 

Joshua  Gore, 

Joseph  Low, 

Francis  Pool  (killed  in  battle) 

William  Jumper, 

Wm.  Parsons  (killed  in  battle), 

Aaron  Riggs, 

Josiah  Brooks,  “ “ “ 

Bennett  Haskins. 

HIS  TOR  Y OF  ROCKPOR  T. 


9i 


Copy  of  John  Rowe's  Commission  as  Captain. 

Province  "1  The  Sixth  Military  Foot  Company  of 
of  the  V Gloucester,  belonging  to  Sixth  Regiment 

Massachusetts  Bay.  ) in  the  County  of  Essex. 

^ Seal,  y To  JOHN  ROWE,  Jr.,  Gentleman,  Greeting: 

By  virtue  of  the  natural  power  and  authority  in  and  by  the 
good  officers  of  the  Royal  Commission  granted  to  us  and  in 
compliance  with  the  recommendation  of  our  patriots  the 
Representative  body  of  this  Province  freely  deputed  by  the 
inhabitants  of  the  respective  towns  of  said  Province  to  meet 
in  Congress  to  consult  and  advise  in  our  oppressed  estate 
who  in  Congress  at  Concord  October  26th.  this  current  year 
resolved  and  advised  the  militia  special  reference  being  had 
to  said  resolve;  we  do  by  these  presents  (reposing  special 
trust  in  your  constitutional  loyalty,  courage  and  good  conduct) 
constitute  and  appoint  you  the  said  John  Rowe  Jr.  to  be  our 
Captain  with  full  power  to  act  agreeable  to  the  voice  of  the 
Continental  and  Provincial  Congress  in  every  salutary  measure 
that  they  have  or  may  advise  to,  and  you  are  therefore 
carefully  and  diligently  to  discharge  the  duty  of  Captain  in 
leading,  ordering  and  exercising  us  the  said  Sixth  Company 
in  arms  both  inferior  officers  and  privates,  and  taking  us  in 
good  order  and  discipline  hereby  commanding  us  to  obey  you 
as  our  Captain;  and  you  yourself  are  to  observe  and  follow 
such  orders  and  instructions  as  you  shall  from  time  to  time 
receive  from  the  Continental  and  Provincial  Congress  for  the 
time  being  of  our  present  exigency  or  other  your  superior 
officers  made  agreeable  to  the  voice  of  the  Provincial  Congress 
for  the  service  of  his  majesty  and  his  loyal  subjects,  agreeable 
to  the  Constitution  of  the  British  Nation  and  her  Colony  and 
Provincial  Charters  according  to  military  rules  and  discipline 
pursuant  to  the  trust  reposed  in  you. 

Given  under  our  hand  and  seal  at  arms  in  fifth  parish  in 


92 


HISTORY  OF ROCKPORT. 


Gloucester  the  22d.  day  of  December  in  the  fifteenth  year  of 
the  reign  of  his  majesty  King  George  the  Third,  annoque 
Domini  1774. 

[Signed]  By  the  Company’s  command, 


Copy  of  the  Com?nission  of  John  Rowe  Esquire  as  Captam  of 
the  Company  of  Sandy  Bay  the  fifth  Parish  of  Gloucester , 
engaged  in  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 

The  Congress  of  the  Colony  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay, 


We,  reposing  especial  trust  and  confidence  in  your  courage 
and  good  conduct,  do,  by  these  presents,  constitute  and 
appoint  you  the  said  John  Rowe  to  be  Captain  of  the  Foot 
Company  in  the  Regiment  of  Foot  whereof  Ebenezer  Bridge 
Esq.  is  Colonel,  raised  by  the  Congress  aforesaid  for  the 
defence  of  said  Colony. 

You  are,  therefore,  carefully  and  diligently  to  discharge 
the  duty  of  a Captain,  commanding,  ordering  and  exercising 
the  said  Company  in  arms,  both  inferior  officers  and  soldiers, 
and  to  keep  them  in  good  order  and  discipline;  and  they  are 
hereby  commanded  to  obey  you  as  their  Captain,  and  you  are 
yourself  to  observe  and  obey  such  orders  and  instructions  as 
you  shall,  from  time  to  time,  receive  from  the  Colonel  and 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  forces  raised  in  the  Colony 
aforesaid  for  the  defence  of  the  same,  or  any  other  your 
superior  officers,  according  to  military  rules  and  disciplines 
in  war,  in  pursuance  of  the  trust  reposed  in  you. 


JOSEPH  THURSTON,  Scribe. 

^ND  \ President, 

J In  behalf  of  the  Company. 


JOHN  ROWE,  Esquire, 


Greeting: 


By  order  of  the  Congress, 


Dated  the  19th.  day  of  May  A.  D.  1775. 


FREEMAN,  Secretary  P.  T. 
JOS.  WARREN,  President  P.  T. 


HIS  TOR  Y OF  ROCKPORT. 


93 


Middlesex,  ss. 

June  the  29th.,  1775. 

Capt.  John  Rowe  within  named  appeared  and  repeated  the 
oath  required  by  Congress  to  be  taken  by  the  officers  of  the 
Massachusetts  Army. 

Before  me,  JONAS  DIX,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


94 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


CHAPTER  II. 


Rockport  National  Bank. 

The  now  Rockport  National  Bank  was  incorporated  as  a 
state  institution  in  1S51.  The  capital  stock  was  £100,000. 
At  its  organization,  Ezra  Eames  Esq.  was  chosen  president 
and  occupied  that  position  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on 
the  17th.  day  of  August  1874,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two 
years.  Dea.  Jabez  R.  Gott  was  elected  cashier  and  discharged 
the  duties  tibereof  faithfully  many  years  and  until  ill-health 
compelled  him  to  resign  the  office.  He  died  March  1 5th. 
1 8 76,  aged  eighty-two  years.  Both  of  these  men  were 
exemplary'  citizens  and  prominent  in  the  business  of  the  town. 

Capt.  Charles  Tarr  succeeded  Mr.  Eames  as  president,  and 
continues  in  that  position  at  the  present  time,  discharging  his 
duties  faithfully,  though  his  age  exceeds  fourscore  years. 

Mr.  Howard  H.  Paul  succeeded  Dea.  Gott  as  cashier.  After 
a few  years'  service  he  resigned  the  office  and  Mr.  Eli  Gott 
was  appointed  his  successor.  He  served  a few  years  and 
was  succeeded  by  Mr.  George  W.  Tufts,  the  present  cashier. 

When  the  petition  asking  for  a charter  of  a bank  at 
Rockport  was  before  the  Legislature,  a considerable  opposition 
was  manifested  by  the  friends  of  the  Gloucester  bank,  the  only 
bank  of  discount  then  on  the  Cape,  they  claiming  that  the 
one  institution  was  able  to  furnish  all  the  bank  accommodation 
the  entire  Cape  required. 

After  the  charter  was  obtained  it  was  somewhat  difficult  to 
get  the  stock  taken  up;  but  by  the  earnest  and  untiring  efforts 
of  the  board  of  directors,  the  object  was  finally  accomplished 
and  the  bank  went  into  successful  operation.  It  was,  but  a 
short  time  before  the  stock  commanded  a premium,  and  it  has 
ever  continued  a useful,  safe  and  paying  institution. 

It  continued  under  the  charter  of  the  Commonwealth  until 


HIS  TOR  Y OF  ROCKPOR  T. 


95 


during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  Feb.  25th.  1863,  the  U.  S. 
Banking  Law  was  enacted,  and  soon  after  this  institution 
accepted  a charter  under  that  act,  therefore  its  present  name. 

After  several  years  of  successful  operation,  the  capital 
stock  was  increased  to  $150,000,  and  was  held  at  that  figure 
some  years;  then  for  certain  good  reasons  it  was  reduced  to  the 
original  sum,  $100,000,  which  is  the  amount  of  capital  at  this 
day.  Its  stock  sold  at  auction,  in  April  1888,  at  $144  per 
share;  par  value,  $100. 

Rockport  Savings  Bank. 

Soon  after  the  Rockport  Bank  went  into  operation,  it  was 
determined  by  certain  parties  that  there  was  room  for,  and 
need  of,  a savings  institution  within  this  town;  accordingly,  a 
petition  was  presented  to  the  Legislature,  and  the  prayer  of 
the  petitioners  was  granted,  and  Rockport  Savings  Bank  was 
incorporated  June  23d.  1853.  The  persons  named  in  the  act 
of  incorporation  were  Ezra  Eames,  Jabez  R.  Gott,  James 
Haskell  and  their  associates.  At  its  organization,  James 
Haskell  was  chosen  president  and  Newell  Giles  treasurer,  and 
a full  board  of  trustees  was  also  chosen. 

This  bank  soon  commenced  receiving  deposits  and  it  proved 
to  be  a very  useful  and  successful  institution.  The  amount 
of  its  deposits  in  1875  was  $414,460.71.  About  this  time,  a 
cloud  came  over  the  town,  in  the  shape  of  financial  troubles 
and  business  failures.  Confidence  became  impaired  and 
deposits  were  withdrawn  so  that  in  1 876  they  were  reduced  to 
$376,780.51.  Dr.  Joseph  Manning  was  then  chosen  treasurer 
in  place  of  Newell  Giles  who  had  resigned;  a change  was  also 
made  in  the  board  of  trustees.  Joshua  Tarr  was  chosen 
president,  succeeding  Henry*  Dennis  who  succeeded  James 
Haskell  who  resigned  some  years  previous  on  account  of  his 
leaving  town  for  Saccarappa.  Maine,  where  he  now  resides. 
Notwithstanding  the  change  of  officers,  confidence  was  not 
restored;  withdrawal  of  deposits  continued  so  that  on  the  26th. 


96 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKPORT. 


day  of  February’  1 878  they  were  reduced  to  $ 1 82,35  2.  About 
this  time,  Hon.  Charles  P.  Thompson  and  Dr.  Joseph  Manning 
were  appointed  receivers  and  within  a few  years  the  business 
of  the  bank  was  closed.  The  depositors  received  eighty-five 
and  a fraction  per  cent,  of  their  deposits. 

A short  time,  say  about  twenty  days,  after  the  receivers 
were  appointed,  the  Massachusetts  Legislature  enacted  the 
Stay  Law,  so  called,  which  undoubtedly  prevented  other 
savings  institutions  in  the  Commonwealth  from  sharing  the 
fate  of  the  Rockport. 

Had  this  law  been  enacted  before  the  receivers  were  appointed 
probably  the  Rockport  Savings  Bank  would  be  in  successful 
operation  to-day  and  the  depositors  would  be  receiving,  when 
called  for,  one  hundred  cents  and  interest  on  every  dollar  of 
their  deposits.  For  when  we  take  into  consideration  the 
eighty-five  and  a fraction  per  cent,  paid  depositors,  and  eight 
thousand  dollars  paid  the  receivers,  and  the  shrinkage  on  a 
few  of  the  largest  mortgages,  saying  nothing  of  the  shrinkage 
on  the  smaller  ones,  we  have  an  amount  more  than  equal  to 
the  whole  amount  of  deposits  when  the  receivers  were  appointed. 

The  closing  out  of  this  useful  institution  was  one  of,  if  not 
the  greatest  financial  disaster  that  ever  befell  this  town. 

Granite  Savings  Bank. 

Awhile  after  the  closing  out  of  the  Rockport  Savings  Bank, 
some  of  our  citizens  saw  the  need  of  an  institution  for  savings 
within  the  town.  Therefore  a petition  was  forwarded  to  the 
Legislature  and  in  the  year  1884  the  Granite  Savings  Bank 
was  incorporated.  Wm.  E.  Winsor,  J.  Loring  Woodfall, 
George  Elwell,  George  M.  McClain,  Francis  Tarr,  Nath’l. 
Richardson,  Jr.,  John  W.  Marshall,  Frank  Scripture,  Wm.  H. 
Colby  and  George  A.  Lowe  were  named  in  the  act  as 
Corporators. 

The  first  meeting  for  the  choice  of  officers  was  held  December 
1 6th.  1884;  at  which  meeting  John  G.  Dennis  was  chosen 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKPORT. 


97 


president,  J.  Loring  Woodfall  secretary  and  Nath’l.  Richardson 
Jr.  treasurer,  and  a board  of  eleven  trustees. 

The  ill  feeling  engendered  by  the  closing  out  of  the  Rockport 
Savings  Bank  operated  somewhat  against  the  new  institution; 
but  this  is  being  overcome,  the  public  can  but  have  confidence 
in  the  board  of  managers.  The  institution  is  gradually 
increasing  in  favor,  and  when  business  shall  revive  deposits 
will  increase  more  rapidly.  Undoubtedly,  this  will  prove  a 
useful  institution. 

Its  first  dividend  of  two  per  cent,  was  payable  April  i st. 
1 887,  and  it  has  paid  semi-annual  dividends  from  that  date. 
The  first  deposit  was  received  April  nth.  1885. 

The  first  president,  John  G.  Dennis  Esq.,  a person  highly 
esteemed  in  this  community,  died  in  June  of  the  first  year  of 
his  service,  but  the  vacancy  was  not  filled  until  the  next  annual 
meeting,  when  Wm.  E.  Winsor  was  elected  president  and  Mr. 
Nath’l.  Richardson  Jr.  was  re-elected  treasurer. 

Mr.  Dennis  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  a member  of  the 
Mass.  Legislature. 

Henry  Dennis  is  now  president;  Wm.  H.  Colby,  secretary; 
Nath’l.  Richardson  Jr.,  treasurer. 

Fourth  of  July  Celebration . 

Early  in  the  year  1854,  say  as  early  as  April,  the  question 
of  a town  celebration  of  our  national  independence  was  agitated. 
An  interest  in  this  was  probably  awakened  by  our  celebration 
on  the  second  day  of  January,  of  the  centennial  of  the  incorpora- 
tion of  the  fifth  parish  of  Gloucester  (Sandy  Bay). 

As  early  as  May,  an  informal  meeting  was  called,  plans 
and  measures  were  discussed  looking  towards  a general 
celebration.  Other  meetings  soon  followed.  An  executive 
committee  was  chosen;  sub-committees  were  appointed;  thus 
in  good  season  the  work  of  preparation  was  commenced.  The 
whole  people  were  awake  and  interested  in  the  work.  The 
finance  committee  collected  some  six  or  seven  hundred  dollars 


HIS  TOR  Y OF  ROCKPOR  T. 


98 

for  music,  fireworks,  etc.,  etc.  The  ladies  proposed  to  furnish 
a collation.  A large  tent,  capable  of  seating  six  or  eight 
hundred  persons,  was  to  be  erected  in  the  Norwood  Pasture 
(Allen’s  Head).  Mr.  Wm.  Norwood,  when  asked  for  the  use 
of  his  pasture  for  the  occasion,  replied  “Yes,  you  are  welcome 
to  the  use  of  the  pasture  for  the  celebration  of  the  Fourth  of 
July,  but  you  have  yet  to  fight  for  your  independence.”  We 
have  seen  his  prophecy  fulfilled.  The  several  committees 
went  to  work  in  good  earnest,  each  one  determined  to  make 
the  celebration  a success. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Fourth,  all  was  in  readiness.  At 
sunrise,  the  bells  of  the  several  churches  and  of  the  cotton 
mill  were  rung  one  half  hour.  This  with  the  booming  of 
cannon  was  a fitting  prelude  to  the  exercises  and  festivities  of 
the  day.  The  weather  was  hot  and  sultry.  Notwithstanding 
this,  quite  early,  people  in  great  numbers  came  pouring  into 
town. 

The  programme  called  for  a procession  which  formed  on 
Broadway,  its  right  resting  on  Main  Street,  at  10  o’clock  A. 
M.,  in  the  following  order: 

Aids.  Chief  Marshal.  Aids. 

Chelsea  Brass  Band. 

Gloucester  Artillery,  Capt.  Jeremiah  Cook. 

Committee  of  Arrangements. 

Bay  Tent  of  Rechabites,  No.  224;  sixty  members  in 
full  regalia,  and  floating  banner  of  blue  silk. 

A carriage  appropriately  trimmed  in  which  were  five 
of  our  eldest  citizens,  motto  “Our  Fathers.” 

Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  about  sixty  members  of 
Granite  Lodge  and  a few  members  of  Ocean 
Lodge,  in  full  regalia.  They  carried  a 
very  elegant  silk  banner  presented 
by  the  ladies. 

Goddess  of  Liberty,  tastefully  dressed,  in  a carriage 
appropriately  decorated. 


HISTORY  OF ROCKPORT. 


99 


Justice — White  dress,  spangled  sash,  scales  in  the 
right  hand;  motto,  “Justice  is  not  blind,”  in  the  left. 
Peace — White  dress,  blue  sash,  wreath  of  roses; 
carriage  trimmed  with  oak  leaves,  evergreen 
and  flowers. 

Engine  Company  No.  3,  in  uniform — blue  trousers, 
red  shirt,  glazed  cap. 

School  No.  1 , Grammar  Department,  Girls  in  Bloomer 
costume;  boys,  blue  jackets,  white  trousers  and 
stockings,  straw  hats. 

Seasons,  Spring,  Summer,  Autumn,  Winter — repre- 
sented by  young  ladies,  emblematically  dressed, 
carriage  appropriately  trimmed  with  oak, 
spruce,  etc. 

School  No.  4 — girls  in  dark  blue  waists,  white  skirts, 
wreaths  of  evergreen;  boys  in  white  trousers, 
blue  jackets,  wide  collars  and  black  ties; 
teachers;  anchors  trimmed  with  flowers. 
Banner,  “Hope,” 

“District  No.  4.” 

Stars — Nine  girls  dressed  in  white  with  blue  sash 
and  crowns  of  various  colors,  stars  on  each  point 
of  crown;  carriage  trimmed  with  roses,  ever- 
green, stars  and  spangles;  driven  by  a 
negro  boy. 

School  No.  3 — Girls  with  oak-leaf  hats,  pink  waists, 
white  skirts;  boys,  red  jackets,  white  trousers, 
oak-leaf  hats.  Banner,  “Perseverance;” 
“District  No.  3.” 

Morning,  Noon  and  Night,  represented  by  ladies 
emblematically  dressed;  carriage  tastefully 
adorned. 

Faith,  Hope  and  Charity,  well  represented  by  persons 
in  appropriate  costume,  in  a carriage  appropri- 
ately trimmed. 


100 


HI  ST  OR  Y OF  RO  CKPOR  T. 


School  No.  2 — Girls  in  white  skirts,  blue  sacks, 
white  sun-bonnets;  boys,  red  jackets,  white 
trousers,  straw  hats  trimmed  with 
evergreen. 

Purity — A carriage  with  twelve  young  ladies  in  white 
dresses  and  wreaths  of  flowers. 

School  No.  5 — Boys,  pink  shirts,  white  trousers, 
straw  hats;  girls,  white  dresses  and  straw  hats; 
banner,  “Truth  is  our  Guide,”  “District  No.  5.” 
Representatives  of  the  States — Thirty -two  young 
ladies  dressed  in  white,  with  straw  hats,  each 
with  the  name  of  a state  in  white  ribbon 
over  the  shoulder.  Banner  in  the  center 
leading  from  the  staff  held  by  each  lady; 
motto,  “United  States,”  “United 
we  stand,  divided  we  fall.” 

School  No  1,  Primary  Department,  in  carriages 
tastefully  decorated — Boys,  with  white  trousers, 
buff  waists,  wreath  over  the  shoulder,  and 
straw  hats;  girls,  all  in  white,  hats  of  blue 
cambric,  with  wreaths.  Banner,  “Tall 
oaks  from  little  acorns  grow,” 

“Primary  No.  1.” 

Indian  and  Turk  on  horseback,  appropriately  dressed. 
Old  Folks  at  Home — Ten  young  ladies  dressed  in 
old  style,  in  a carriage,  with  spinning-wheel, 
carding,  &c. 

Flora’s  Bower — Carriage  trimmed  with  flowers, 
containing  six  young  ladies  dressed  in  white, 
decorated  with  flowers  and  carrying 
baskets  of  flowers. 

Modesty — White  dress,  full  white  veil,  two  attendants 
holding  an  arch  of  flowers  over  her  head. 

Glee  Club — Five  ladies  and  two  gentlemen;  ladies 
in  various  dresses,  gentlemen  as  troubadours. 


HISTORY  OF ROCKPORT. 


IOI 


The  route  of  the  procession  was  through  Broadway,  School, 
High,  Pleasant,  Mt.  Pleasant,  South,  Main,  Beach  and  King 
streets.  The  programme  called  for  Granite  Street  to  Pigeon 
Cove,  but  when  the  procession  arrived  at  the  head  of  King 
Street  it  was  found  impracticable,  on  account  of  the  intense 
heat,  to  proceed  further.  Several  members  of  the  Artillery 
had  been  smitten  with  sunstroke  and  numbers  of  the  children 
were  also  obliged  to  leave  the  ranks.  Therefore,  upon  the 
consultation  of  the  committee  of  arrangements,  it  was  thought 
best  to  take  up  the  line  of  march  towards  the  Pavilion,  where 
the  procession  arrived  about  half-past  one  o’clock.  On  their 
arrival  they  found  the  tables  well  spread  and  loaded  with  a 
bountiful  supply  of  food  provided  by  the  ladies.  After  the 
procession  was  seated  at  the  tables,  the  divine  blessing  was 
invoked  by  Rev.  A.  C.  L.  Arnold,  chaplain  of  the  day,  after 
which  the  attention  of  the  company  was  devoted  to  the  viands 
before  them.  Though  the  procession  was  the  first  that  was 
seated  at  the  tables,  the  crowd  outside  the  tent  was  not 
slighted  nor  neglected.  In  due  time,  all  were  invited  to 
partake  of  the  good  things  that  were  provided  to  supply  the 
wants  of  the  inner  man.  We  are  sure  that  there  was  a great 
abundance  of  food,  enough  and  more  than  enough  for  the 
great  number  in  attendance,  and  quite  a surplus  that  was 
distributed  to  the  needy,  by  the  committee  of  arrangements, 
the  next  day. 

The  Hon.  James  Haskell,  the  president  of  the  day,  called 
the  assembly  to  order,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Arnold  again  addressed 
the  throne  of  grace  in  words  appropriate  to  the  occasion. 
After  he  concluded,  Lemuel  Gott  M.  D.  read  the  Declaration 
of  Independence.  Then  the  orator  of  the  day,  C.  M.  Ellis 
Esq.,  of  Boston,  was  introduced  by  the  president  in  a few  well 
chosen  words.  The  subject  of  the  oration  was  a review  of 
the  early  history  of  the  settlement  of  New  England,  showing 
how  the  idea  of  constitutional  liberty  was  fundamental  in  the 
minds  of  our  fathers  and  was  by  them  bequeathed  to  their 


102 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


immediate  descendants.  They  welcomed  fugitives  from 
tyranny,  from  every  state  of  despotic  Europe,  whether  that 
tyranny  was  governmental  or  ecclesiastical.  Fugitives  from 
slavery  were  their  every-day  visitors,  and  thereby  the  flame 
of  liberty  was  fanned  into  surpassing  brightness.  He  considered 
that  the  spirit  of  liberty  was  endangered  in  our  period,  by 
causes  obvious  to  all,  but  he  yet  believed  in  the  ultimate 
triumph  of  liberty  and  foresaw  the  day  when  as  a nation  we 
should  be  free  indeed.  Mr.  Ellis  spoke  for  an  hour  and  a 
half.  Then  an  hour  was  spent  in  social  expression,  in  pertinent 
and  short  speeches  by  several  persons.  David  Kimball  Esq., 
of  Boston,  a former  resident  here,  acted  as  toast-master.  The 
following  were  some  of  the  many  sentiments  offered,  all  of 
which  elicited  much  applause. 

The  President  of  the  United  States  and  his  administration. 
“May  they  fear  God  and  keep  His  commandments.” 

Washington.  “May  we  emulate  his  patriotism  and  practise 
his  virtues.” 

The  orator  of  the  day.  “May  the  spirit  which  he  has  this 
day  inspired  be  long  felt.”  Mr.  Ellis  responded  in  an 
animated  and  interesting  manner. 

Hon.  Charles  W.  Upham.  “Representative  to  Congress, 
from  Essex  District,  the  firm  friend  of  freedom.” 

The  Press.  “May  its  mighty  influence  ever  be  wielded  on 
the  side  of  freedom.”  Rev.  Mr.  Arnold  responded  by  a few 
pertinent  remarks. 

The  Gloucester  Artillery.  Private  W.  H.  Dann  answered  in 
behalf  of  the  Company,  by  a few  well  chosen  words. 

The  Chelsea  Brass  Band.  “May  they  live  to  blow  long  for 
the  gratification  of  their  patrons.” 

To  the  young  ladies  of  Rockport.  “May  they  make  better 
wives  than  their  mothers.” 

Mr.  Ellis  responded  declaring  that  were  it  not  for  the  influence 
of  the  mothers  he  should  consider  it  a libel.  But,  inheriting 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKPORT. 


103 


their  virtues  and  emulating  their  excellencies,  it  might  be 
possible.  Thus  closed  the  day’s  performance. 

Decorations  on  the  several  streets  were  as  follows:  on 
Broadway  and  Main  Street  were  arches  of  evergreen,  mottoes 
“The  day  we  celebrate,”  “July  4th.,  1776,”  “Welcome;”  on 
High  Street,  arch  of  evergreen,  motto  “God  and  our  country,” 
“Liberty  not  Oppression”;  on  Pleasant  Street,  arch  with  the 
motto,  “The  spirit  of ’76  still  lives;”  on  School  Street,  “Inde- 
pendence,” “Bunker  Hill;”  on  Broadway,  the  schoolhouse 
and  the  houses  of  Messrs.  Samuel  J.  Giles,  Dudley  Choate, 
James  Haskell  and  N.  F.  S.  York  were  appropriately  decorated. 

Flags  were  suspended  across  High  Street  from  the  houses 
of  E.  Boynton  and  David  Tarr;  on  Main  Street,  near  the  house 
of  David  Brooks,  and  on  King  Street  from  the  bakery  of  Mr. 
Knowlton,  also  from  many  other  places. 

David  Kimball  Esq.  donated  to  the  boys  a large  quantity 
of  Chinese  explosives  which  added  greatly  to  their  enjoyment. 
They  were  very  discreet  in  the  use  of  them;  none  were 
exploded  on  the  route  of  the  procession  while  it  was  passing. 

During  the  evening,  there  was  a grand  display  of  fireworks 
on  the  ground  near  the  Pavilion  and  the  Chelsea  Band 
discoursed  some  excellent  music,  including  several  very 
popular  airs. 

Throughout  the  day  and  evening  good  order  was  preserved. 
Though  there  was  a very  large  number  of  people  in  town, 
there  were  but  two  or  three  arrests  and  that  for  imbibing  too 
freely  of  that  they  brought  with  them.  There  was  no  disturb- 
ance during  the  entire  day  and  evening. 

The  members  of  the  Artillery  that  were  most  severely 
affected  by  sunstroke  were  sergeant  Henry  Pearce  and  private 
Gilman  Saunders.  Pearce  was  insensible  several  hours;  they 
however  recovered  within  a few  days. 

The  weather  several  days  before  and  on  the  Fourth  and  a 
few  days  after  was  very  warm.  The  mercury  ranged  from  90 


04 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


to  ioo  in  the  shade,  during  the  day,  and  did  not  fall  below 
80  in  the  night. 

The  Gloucester  Telegraph  of  the  8th.  of  July,  to  which 
we  are  largely  indebted  for  much  of  the  foregoing  description, 
also  says:  “The  whole  celebration  was  highly  creditable  to 
the  energy,  enterprise  and  taste  of  our  neighbors. 

“Messrs.  Lyman  B.  Stockman  and  J.  P.  H.  Cushing  rendered 
us  valuable  assistance  in  making  up  our  report  of  the 
celebration.” 

The  orator  of  the  day,  C.  M.  Ellis  Esq.,  was  honorably 
known  throughout  the  free  portion  of  our  country,  for  his 
connection  with  the  defence  of  Burns  in  Boston,  a fugitive 
from  slavery. 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKFORT. 


05 


CHAPTER  III. 


Temperance  Reform. 

\ 

The  earliest  action  taken  in  this  line  by  the  town  of 
Gloucester,  of  which  Sandy  Bay  was  the  5th.  parish,  was  at  the 
annual  town  meeting  in  March  1814,  when  a committee  was 
appointed  by  the  town,  whose  duty  it  was  to  ascertain  who 
were  violating  the  license  law  of  that  day.  That  committee 
reported  as  follows: 

“To  the  Gentlemen  Selectmen  of  Gloucester: 

“We,  the  subscribers,  being  appointed  by  the  town  at 
its  last  annual  March  meeting,  to  notice  and  inform  of  all 
those  persons  who  sell  ardent  spirit  contrary  to  the  statute 
laws  of  this  Commonwealth,  having  attended  to  the  business 
of  our  appointment,  find  that  the  following  licensed  persons 
have  not  conformed  to  the  laws  for  the  year  past,  but  have 
been  and  continue  in  the  constant  habit  of  selling  liquors 
mixed  and  drank  in  their  shops  in  open  violation  of  the  statute 
laws  of  this  Commonwealth,  viz:  (here  are  inserted  the  names 
of  sixteen  persons,  all  of  whom  did  business  at  Gloucester 
harbor)* 

“As  no  person  can  obtain  a license  but  through  the 
approbation  of  the  Selectmen,  we  think  it  most  expedient  in 
the  first  instance  to  give  them  timely  notice,  with  full  confidence 
that  they  will  not  be  wanting  in  their  duty,  and  will  withhold 
their  future  approbation. 

“But,  if  any  of  the  above  mentioned  persons  who  pay  no 
regard  to  the  wholesome  laws  of  this  Commonwealth  should 

*Probably  these  sixteen  men  were  licensed  to  sell  ardent  spirit  by 
retail,  but  not  to  be  mixed  and  drank  on  the  premises. 


io6 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


obtain  an  approbation,  we  are  determined  to  make  a presentation 
of  all  such  persons  to  the  General  Sessions  of  the  County. 


“Gloucester,  June  25th.  1814.” 

All  of  whom  were  of  Sandy  Bay,  except  John  Mason. 

The  next  move,  spoken  of  in  the  Centennial  Address  as  “A 
war  waged  against  a more  formidable  power  than  the  King  of 
England,”  was  as  follows.  The  villagers,  having  become 
alarmed  at  the  ravages  King  Alcohol  was  making  in  their 
ranks,  held  a meeting  to  consider  this  great  question,  at  the 
house  of  Mr.  Francis  Norwood,  on  the  15th.  day  of  February 
1815,  and  organized  by  the  choice  of  Mr.  Solomon  Pool 
moderator,  Mr.  Wm.  Whipple  Sec’y.  A committee  of  five 
were  chosen  to  draft  a constitution  and  by-laws,  and  then 
adjourned  to  the  23rd.  inst.,  at  which  meeting  the  Committee 
made  their  report  and  presented  their  draft  of  the  constitution, 
which  was  adopted,  and  the  society  organized  under  the  name  of 
“Moral  Reform”  and  chose  Major  Francis  Norwood,  Pres., 
and  Dr.  James  Goss,  Sec’y.  The  temperance  pledge  adopted 
by  this  society  was  as  follows,  after  setting  forth  the  evils  of 
selling  and  drinking  ardent  spirits:  “We,  therefore,  do  solemnly 
engage  to  abstain  from  an  excessive  use  of  ardent  spirit, 
ourselves,  to  prevent  it  in  our  families,  social  circles  and  other 
places;  that  we  will  not  frequent  and  drink  in  retailing  shops, 
nor  suffer  our  children  under  our  care  to  do  it;  and  that  we 
will  unite  in  aiding  and  upholding  persons  appointed  to 
suppress  all  such  unauthorized  places  amongst  us,  in  taking 
every  legal  step  necessary,  that  this  dreadful  evil  may  be 
removed  and  the  rising  generation  saved  from  its  ruinous 
effects.”  They  also  pledge  themselves  against  the  use  of 


(Signed)  “James  Goss, 


“Francis  Norwood, 
“Solomon  Pool, 
“Timothy  R.  Davis, 
“John  Mason. 


Committee. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


107 


profane  language,  evil  speaking  and  gambling,  and  also  pledge 
themselves  to  a proper  observance  of  the  Sabbath.  The 
foregoing  vices  were  quite  prevalent  in  the  community  in 
those  early  days.  Though  the  pledge  against  the  use  of 
ardent  spirits  admitted  of  considerable  latitude,  yet,  from  what 
has  come  down  to  us  by  tradition  and  history  of  the  habits  of 
the  people  of  that  day,  the  stand  taken  by  this  society  was  a 
bold  and  noble  one,  and  certainly  pointed  in  the  right  direction. 
Those  who  signed  the  constitution  were:  Francis  Norwood, 
James  Goss,  Solomon  Pool,  Eben’r.  Oakes,  Abraham  Pool, 
Solomon  Choate,  Caleb  Norwood,  David  Jewett,  Reuben 
Brooks,  Stephen  Pool,  Wm.  Choate,  Henry  Witham  Jr., 
Thomas  Giles,  John  Burns  Jr.,  Wm.  Whipple,  Aaron  Pool, 
Matthew  S.  Giles,  Jabez  R.  Gott,  Wm.  Pool,  Reuben  Brooks 
Jr.,  Gorham  Norwood,  David  Kimball,  Josiah  Page,  Joseph 
Smith  Jr.,  Thomas  Oakes,  George  Dennison,  Isaac  Dennison 
Jr.  This  society  continued  in  active  operation  until  March 
9th.  1829,  when  by  mutual  consent  it  was  dissolved. 

As  far  as  we  learn,  there  were  no  other  special  efforts  to 
suppress  liquor-selling  or  drinking  until  about  1830  or  ’31, 
when  the  question  was  agitated  from  the  pulpit  and  by  laymen. 
As  the  results  of  this  agitation,  a society  was  organized  and 
the  members  pledged  themselves  not  to  drink  distilled  liquors; 
but  soon  it  was  found  that  this  pledge  did  not  cure  the  evil, 
as  some  members  that  were  thus  pledged  were  occasionally 
intoxicated  by  the  too  free  use  of  cider,  wine  or  malt  liquors. 
From  time  to  time  the  pledge  was  strengthened,  until  it  forbade 
the  use  of  all  intoxicating  liquors. 

The  feeble  efforts  that  were  put  forth  before  th'is  date 
caused  a great  opposition.  The  movement  was  by  its 
opponents  at  first  called  the  gag  act.  The  opposition  made 
at  one  time  quite  a demonstration  by  an  assemblage  on  Dock 
Square,  where  a barrel  of  New  England  rum  was  tapped  and 
the  stars  and  stripes  waved  above  it  upon  a staff  whose  base 
was  in  the  bung-hole.  The  day  was  spent  in  riot  and  drinking. 


o8 


HIS  TOR  Y OF  RO  CKPOR  T. 


It  has  been  many  years  since  such  a scene  could  have  been 
re-enacted.  Probably  the  drinking  habits  of  this  people  were 
not  greater,  and  the  opposition  to  reform  more  manifest,  in 
this  than  in  other  communities,  especially  where  fishing  was 
the  leading  industry. 

In  the  year  1840,  April,  six  men  in  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
all  of  them  addicted  to  the  excessive  use  of  ardent  spirits, 
while  seated  together  in  a hotel  where  ardent  spirits  were 
sold,  inaugurated  the  Washington  Total  Abstinence  Society 
and  adopted  the  following  pledge: 

“We  whose  names  are  annexed,  desirous  of  forming  a 
society  for  our  mutual  benefit,  and  to  guard  against  a pernicious 
practice  which  is  injurious  to  our  health,  standing  and  families, 
do  pledge  ourselves  as  gentlemen  that  we  will  not  drink  any 
spirituous  or  malt  liquors,  wine  or  cider.” 

This  society  thus  inaugurated  increased  wonderfully  in 
power  and  volume.  Its  influence  extended  within  a short 
time  to  a great  portion  of  our  land  and  on  the  30th.  day  of 
August,  1841,  a public  meeting  was  held  in  the  Universalist 
meeting-house  in  this  town,  of  which  Rev.  John  Allen  was 
chosen  chairman  and  Nehemiah  H.  Swain,  Sec’y.  At  this 
meeting  a committee  was  chosen  to  draft  a constitution  and 
by-laws  by  which  a permanent  organization  was  effected.  W m . 
Caldwell  was  chosen  president;  his  successors  in  that  office 
were  John  W.  Marshall,  Levi  Cleaves,  Levi  Sewall.  This 
society  adopted  the  following  pledge: 

“The  members  of  this  society  agree  that  they  will  never 
again  drink  any  intoxicating  liquors,  except  when  prescribed 
by  a medical  attendant,  or  in  case  of  wine  at  communion;  and 
that  they  will  not  provide  them  for  their  friends,  or  for  persons 
in  their  employ;  and  they  will,  in  all  suitable  ways,  discoun- 
tenance the  use  of  them  in  the  community;  and  above  all, 
that  they  will  use  their  utmost  endeavors  to  reclaim  and 
restore  to  Temperance  those  who  are  unfortunately  addicted 
to  drunkenness.” 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


109 


The  last  record  of  a meeting  of  this  society  was  dated  Dec. 
19th.  1848.  It  .was  held  in  the  vestry  of  the  Congregational 
society.  The  record  says:  “The  Committee  who  were  chosen 
at  the  previous  meeting  made  no  report.”  Though  the  life  of 
this  society  covered  but  a few  years,  it  was  an  active  one  and 
we  know  it  accomplished  a great  good.  Many  liquor  shops 
were  closed  and  the  proprietors  never  again  engaged  in  the 
business,  and  many  persons  who  were  addicted  to  the  free 
use  of  liquor  signed  the  pledge  and  to  their  dying  day  observed 
it  inviolate,  some  of  whom  were  our  most  prominent  citizens. 
The  whole  number  of  names  recorded  that  signed  the 
pledge  and  constitution  was  1 139,  nearly  one-half  of  the  whole 
population  of  the  town,  at  that  time.  Undoubtedly  the 
influence  of  that  organization  extended  through  many  of  the 
succeeding  years.  Early  in  its  history,  John  B.  Gough  gave 
two  lectures  here,  one  in  the  Congregational  and  one  in  the 
Universalist  meeting-house.  On  these  occasions,  these  houses 
were  literally  packed.  It  was  in  the  early  years  of  his 
temperance  conversion;  he  was  listened  to  with  rapt  attention. 

At  a later  day,  there  were  various  organizations  instituted 
here  in  the  interest  of  temperance,  among  which  were  the 
Sons,  an  order  of  which  was  formed  in  each  village.  They 
did  a good  work  for  a season,  then  passed  away. 

Bay  Tent  of  Rechabites  was  instituted  here,  March  nth. 
1847;  within  two  years  of  that  time  it  numbered  more  than 
one  hundred  members.  Its  object  was  to  promote  temperance 
and  morality  and  waTch  over  and  provide  for  its  members 
when  sick  and  needy.  It  continued  its  organization  with 
various  success  and  membership  and  accomplished  much 
good  in  the  community,  until  May  1885  when  a large  majority 
of  its  membership  thought  best  to  dissolve  the  organization, 
which  they  did  and  then  organized  Rechabite  Temple  of 
Honor  which  is  now  in  successful  operation. 

Northern  Light  Lodge  240,  I.  O.  G.  Templars,  at  Pigeon 
Cove,  is  the  outcome  of  an  order  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance 


HISTOR  V OF  ROCKPORT. 


HO 

that  had  been  instituted  in  that  village  and  was  in  successful 
operation  several  years.  It  exerted  a good  influence  in  that 
community.  When  the  Northern  Light  was  instituted  there 
were  thirty-four  charter  members.  Five  hundred  and  eight 
names  have  been  enrolled  during  its  history.  It  is  now  in  a 
healthy  condition. 

These  two  organizations  are  the  only  active  temperance 
societies  at  present  in  town. 

There  was  an  extensive  temperance  revival  here  commencing 
with  the  year  1876,  under  the  leadership  of  a Dr.  Reynolds 
of  Bangor,  Maine.  Many  public  meetings  were  held  in  the 
Town  Hall  which  on  these  occasions  was  filled  to  its  utmost 
capacity.  Clergyman  and  layman  united  in  assisting  the  Dr. 
in  the  good  work.  The  badge  of  membership  was  the  blue 
ribbon,  which  was  worn  by  hundreds.  Many  were  reclaimed 
from  their  cups,  and  during  the  few  years  of  its  life  great 
good  was  accomplished.  During  this  great  upheaval  of 
temperance  sentiment,  one  Mr.  Greer  who  kept  a saloon 
dumped  his  stock  of  liquors  in  the  street  gutter  and  closed 
out  his  business. 

When  that  institution  went  out,  an  order  of  the  Sons  of 
Temperance  was  instituted,  which  flourished  and  prospered  a 
few  years,  did  a good  work  and  disbanded. 

The  town,  commencing  with  1856  and  during  the  succeeding 
years  including  1887,  appropriated  for  the  enforcement  of  the 
liquor  laws  of  the  Commonwealth  $6450,  of  which  sum  there 
has  been  expended  by  a special  committee  or  Special  Police, 
annually  chosen  for  that  purpose,  $3468.69.  Their  efforts 
have  been  quite  effective.  For  many  years  there  has  been  no 
place  within  the  limits  of  our  town  where  ardent  spirits  were 
publicly  sold.  On  the  question  of  License  or  No  License, 
the  vote  has  always  been  emphatically  “No.” 

Rockport  is  truly  a prohibitory  town,  though  but  two  votes 
were  cast  for  the  Political  Prohibitory  Party  at  the  state 
election,  Nov.  6th.  1888. 


HISTORY  OF ROCKPORT. 


1 1 1 


Women's  Raid. 

The  citizens  of  this  usually  quiet  town  were  somewhat 
surprised  as,  on  the  morning  of  the  8th.  day  of  July  1856, 
women  in  considerable  numbers  were  seen  wending  their  way 
towards  Dock  Square.  At  about  nine  o’clock  A.  M.,  some 
two  hundred  or  more  formed  a procession  and  under  the 
leadership  of  a seaman  who  carried  the  American  flag  proceeded 
to  march  through  the  principal  and  most  public  streets  of  the 
town.  The  spectators,  of  whom  there  were  a large  number, 
soon  learned  the  object  of  this  great  demonstration,  which 
was  a raid  upon  the  shops  and  other  places  where  intoxicating 
liquors  were  illegally  sold.  As  the  procession  arrived  at  one 
and  another  of  these  marked  and  suspected  places,  they  made 
a halt  and  if  the  door  was  not  opened  before  them  they 
proceeded  to  force  an  entrance  and,  once  within  the  premises, 
seized  casks,  demijohns,  jugs  and  bottles  that  contained  the 
bane  of  their  happiness,  and  emptied  their  contents  into  the 
street,  occasionally  making  use  of  hatchets  (with  which  they 
were  liberally  supplied)  to  hasten  the  flow  of  the  hated  liquid. 
After  marching  over  the  principal  streets  and  raiding  thirteen 
places  where  intoxicating  liquors  were  illegally  kept  for  sale, 
they  proceeded  to  the  square,  the  starting-point  of  the 
procession.  There  they  congratulated  each  other  on  the 
successful  issue  of  the  day’s  proceedings,  then  disbanded  and 
at  about  three  o’clock  P.  M.  each  one  quietly  returned  to  her 
home.  As  far  as  w£  know,  neither  the  Selectmen  nor  the 
police  were  called  upon  to  arrest  the  progress  of  these  women 
who  thus  had  taken  the  law  into  their  own  hands  in  order  to 
rid  the  community  of  the  great  enemy  to  the  peace  and  quiet 
of  their  homes. 

This  action  of  the  women  of  Rockport  was  made  a subject 
of  legal  investigation  and  after  a full  and  fair  trial  they  received 
a verdict  of  acquittal.  These  women  were  aided  in  their 
defense  before  the  Court  by  able  council  and  the  contributions 


HISTOR  V OF  ROCKPORT. 


1 12 

of  the  friends  of  the  cause,  in  sums  of  from  five  dollars  to  fifty, 
a total  of  five  hundred  dollars  or  more. 

At  the  first  trial  before  the  Court  a verdict  of  acquittal  was 
rendered.  Exceptions  were  taken  by  the  prosecution,  which 
were  heard  before  the  full  bench  of  judges.  At  the  hearing, 
the  verdict  was  set  aside  and  a new  trial  was  had,  which 
resulted  in  a like  verdict. 

These  two  trials  before  the  Court  and  the  hearing  before 
the  full  bench  caused  a large  expense  in  addition  to  the  five 
hundred  dollars  which  was  first  contributed.  One  and  another 
declined  to  make  further  contributions.  But  Mr.  John 
Stimson,  who  for  a long  time  was  engaged  in  the  stone 
business  in  town,  first  a member  of  the  Boston  & Gloucester 
Granite  Co.,  then  on  his  own  account,  next  as  a member  of 
the  firm  ofEames,  Stimson  & Co.,  and  finally  as  agent  and 
treasurer  of  Rockport  Granite  Co.,  continued  faithful  and 
gave  the  women’s  cause  liberal  aid  until  the  end  of  the  conflict 
at  a cost  of  $800  to  $1000.  He  died  in  Lexington,  Mass., 
July  30th.  1886,  aged  eighty-one  years,  nine  months,  eleven 
days. 

Though  those  who  were  engaged  in  this  demonstration 
against  the  illegal  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors,  after  an 
exhaustive  trial,  were  acquitted,  we  would  consider  that  way 
of  abating  a nuisance,  of  dangerous  tendency  and  certainly 
should  not  be  appealed  to  except  as  a last  resort. 

The  peculiar  character  of  this  case  prompts  us  to  insert 
the  law  proceedings  in  the  following  pages: 

“Supreme  Judicial  Court,  November  term  1858.  James 
Brown  vs.  Stephen  Perkins  and  wife.”  Gray’s  Report,  Book 
12. 

“An  action  of  tort  was  entered  by  James  Brown  against 
Stephen  Perkins  and  wife,  for  breaking  and  "entering  the 
plaintiff  s shop  in  Rockport  and  carrying  away  and  destroying  a 
barrel  of  vinegar  and  other  goods  of  the  plaintiff. 

“The  answer  denied  that  the  defendants  entered  the  shop, 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKFORT. 


1 13 

or  destroyed  or  carried  away  any  goods;  and  alleged  that  the 
building  was  for  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors  and  so  was  a 
public  nuisance,  and  that  a large  number  of  persons  assembled 
to  abate  the  same,  and  destroyed  and  injured  no  article  of 
merchandise,  but  only  spirituous  liquor,  unlawfully  kept  for 
sale,  and  did  no  other  act,  and  used  no  more  force  than  was 
necessary  to  abate  such  nuisance.” 

At  the  trial  before  the  Chief  Justice,  Lemuel  Shaw,  the 
plaintiff  and  others  testified  that  he  was  a grocer  and  kept  a 
shop  in  Rockport;  that  on  the  8th.  of  July,  1856,  the  defendants 
and  others  broke  open  his  shop  and  destroyed  various  articles 
therein;  and  that  there  was  no  spirituous  liquor  there  at  the 
time. 

The  defendants  introduced  evidence  to  show  that  about 
three  hundred  women,  some  of  whom  were  armed  with 
hatchets,  met,  according  to  previous  appointment,  in  a 
neighboring  square  and  marched  in  procession  to  the  plaintiff  s 
shop,  and  broke  it  open,  and  brought  out  and  destroyed 
spirituous  liquors  which  they  found  there;  that  on  previous 
occasions  persons  had  been  seen  coming  out  of  the  shop 
intoxicated;  and  that  when  the  shop  was  broken  open,  Perkins 
was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  and  his  wife  was  not 
there  at  all;  and  there  was  conflicting  evidence  as  to  the  part 
taken  by  her  in  the  subsequent  destruction  of  the  property. 

One  of  the  defendants’  witnesses  testified:  “There  were 
many  men  there,  and  almost  all  the  women  in  Rockport — all 
who  could  walk  or  move  on  crutches.  All  the  men  appeared 
to  be  approving,  except  the  rumsellers;  I heard  no  objection. 
The  selectmen,  ministers,  deacons,  policemen  were  present; 
none  of  them  forbade  what  was  done,  but  all  was  peace  and 
harmony.  They  appeared  to  be  very  happy,  and  the  shouts 
came  up  from  the  gentlemen.  The  justices  of  the  peace 
were  there;  everything  that  could  walk.  We  determined  to 
carry  it  through  and  destroy  all  the  liquor.” 

So  much  of  the  judge’s  instructions  as  concerned  the  points 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKPORT. 


114 

decided  by  the  full  court  was  reported  by  him  as  follows: 

“The  most  material  question  is,  whether  this  proceeding 
was  justifiable  upon  the  grounds  stated  and  relied  upon.  That 
justification  is  that  by  statute  all  intoxicating  liquors  kept  for 
sale,  and  the  vessels  and  implements  actually  used  in  selling 
and  keeping  the  same  contrary  to  the  provisions  of  that  act 
(Statute  1855,  C.  215),  are  declared  to  be  common  nuisances, 
and  are  to  be  regarded  and  treated  as  such;  and  that  by 
another  statute  ( 1 8 5 5 , C.  405),  all  buildings,  places  or  tenements 
used  as  houses  of  ill-fame,  resorted  to  for  prostitution,  lewdness 
or  for  illegal  gaming,  or  used  for  the  illegal  keeping  or  sale 
of  intoxicating  liquors,  are  declared  to  be  common  nuisances 
and  are  to  be  regarded  and  treated  as  such. 

“Upon  this  three  questions  arise:  First,  Whether  all  persons, 
members  of  the  community,  have  a lawful  right  to  destroy 
intoxicating  liquor  thus  kept,  by  way  of  abatement  of  a 
common  nuisance?  Second,  Whether  for  this  purpose  they 
have  a right  to  use  force  to  break  open  the  place  where  it  is 
so  kept,  if  the  nuisance  cannot  be  reached  and  abated  otherwise? 
Third,  Is  it  justifiable  for  a large  number  of  persons  to  combine 
and  agree  together  to  take  and  destroy  such  intoxicating 
liquor,  by  force,  and  to  use  force  in  breaking  open  such  a 
shop  in  order  to  come  at  and  get  possession  of  the  liquor  to 
be  destroyed?” 

“Upon  the  questions  I (Chief  Justice  Shaw)  was  of  opinion 
and  instructed  the  jury  as  follows: 

“1st.  That  intoxicating  liquors  kept  for  sale,  with  the 
vessels  containing  them,  and  articles  used  in  the  sale,  being 
declared  by  law  to  be  a common  nuisance,  it  is  lawful  for  any 
person  to  destroy  them,  by  way  of  abatement  of  a common 
nuisance,  and  that  it  is  the  exercise  of  a common  and  lawful 
right. 

“2d.  That  if  kept  in  such  a shop,  not  a dwelling-house, 
locked  or  otherwise  closed,  it  is  justifiable  to  use  force,  but  no 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKPORT. 


1 1 5 

more  force  than  is  necessary  to  reach  the  liquor  and  vessels, 
if  it  cannot  be  come  at  otherwise. 

“3d.  That  if  the  combination  or  conspiracy  of  a large 
number  of  persons  extends  no  further  than  to  take  and  destroy 
intoxicating  liquors  and  the  vessels,  and  to  use  no  unnecessary 
force,  the  fact  that  such  combination  is  entered  into  by  a large 
number  of  persons  to  act  together,  in  doing  that  and  no  more, 
would  not  take  away  the  justification  they  would  have,  if 
done  by  a few  of  them. 

“But  the  jury  were  cautioned  that  this  was  a dangerous 
power;  comment  was  made  upon  the  danger  of  permitting 
people  to  take  the  law  into  their  own  hands,  alluding  to  lynch 
law,  vigilance  committees,  etc.,  leading  to  resistance,  to  riots, 
bloodshed  and  violence,  destruction  to  the  peace  of  a civilized 
community;  that  as  a general  rule  private  persons  must  rely 
upon  the  law  for  their  protection  and  the  redress  of  grievances. 
And  if  the  law  is  in  any  respect  inoperative  and  ineffectual,  it 
is  the  province  of  the  Legislature  to  amend  it.” 

The  restrictions  under  which  this  power  can  be  lawfully 
exercised,  the  jury  were  instructed  to  be  as  follows: 

“1st.  The  power  claimed  by  the  defendants  is  a power 
conferred  by  law,  and  not  by  license  or  authority  conferred 
by  private  persons,  and  must  therefore  be  construed  strictly, 
and  if  they  exceed  their  authority  they  are  trespassers,  ab 
initio.  This  justification  wholly  fails,  and  the  plaintiff  is 
entitled  to  recover  for  all  the  damages  sustained;  so  if  they 
break  open  a shop  where  no  intoxicating  liquor  is  kept,  or,  if 
kept,  if  none  is  kept  for  sale,  they  do  it  at  their  peril;  and  if 
none  such  is  found,  the  justification  fails;  so,  if  after  entering 
they  do  unlawful  acts,  they  are  trespassers  ab  initio . 

“2d.  “If  any  more  force  was  used  than  was  necessary,  or 
any  damage  done  to  the  building  or  to  any  articles  *in  the 
building,  beyond  that  of  taking  and  destroying  the  intoxicating 
liquor  kept  for  sale,  and  the  vessels  which  contained  it,  then 
the  parties  so  acting  were  trespassers^  initio , and  the  justifica- 
tion is  not  established,” 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


1 16 


“Under  these  views  the  evidence  was  briefly  reviewed  and 
submitted  to  the  Jury,  upon  the  several  questions  of  fact  above 
stated,  especially  whether  any  unnecessary  force  was  used 
in  breaking  open  the  shop,  without  first  requesting  the 
owner  to  unlock  it;  or  whether  any  unlawful  acts  were 
done  by  the  party  after  entering  the  shop,  either  to  the 
building  or  articles  in  it;  and  whether  a barrel  of  vinegar,  or 
any  article  other  than  intoxicating  liquor  and  the  vessels,  was 
taken  away  or  damaged. 

“The  Jury  returned  a verdict  for  the  defendants;  and  the 
plaintiff  moved  for  a new  trial,  on  the  ground  that  the  Jury 
were  misdirected  in  matters  of  law;  and  this  motion  was 
reserved  for  the  whole  Court.” 

Able  argument  was  presented  by  the  counsel  for  the  plaintiff, 
viz:  O.  P.  Lord  and  J.  W.  Perry. 

Also  by  S.  H.  Phillips  and  R.  S.  Rantoul  for  the  defendants. 
Then  the  court  go  on  and  say, — 

“This  is  an  action  for  breaking  and  entering  the  plaintiff  s 
shop  and  destroying  various  articles  of  property.  The  defend- 
ants, denying  the  facts,  and  putting  the  plaintiff  to  proof,  insist 
that  if  it  is  proved  that  they  were  chargeable  with  the  breaking 
and  entering,  it  was  justifiable  by  law,  on  the  ground  that  the 
shop  was  a place  used  for  the  sale  of  spirituous  liquors,  and 
so  was  declared  to  be  a nuisance;  and  that  they  had  a right  to 
abate  the  nuisance,  and  for  that  purpose  to  break  and  enter 
the  shop,  as  the  proof  shows  it  was  done;  that  the  shop  contained 
spirituous  liquors  kept  for  sale;  that  the  so  keeping  them  was 
a nuisance  by  statute;  that  they  had  a right  to  enter  by  force 
and  destroy  them;  and  that  they  entered  for  that  purpose  and 
destroyed  such  articles,  and  did  no  more  damage  than  was 
necessary  for  that  purpose.” 

“ist.  The  Court  are  of  opinion  that  spiritous  liquors  are 
not,  of  themselves,  a common  nuisance,  but  the  act  of  keeping 
them  for  sale  by  statute  creates  a nuisance;  and  the  only  mode 
in  which  they  can  be  lawfully  destroyed  is  the  one  directed  by 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


ii  7 

statute,  for  the  seizure  by  warrant,  bringing  them  before  a 
magistrate  and  giving  the  owner  of  the  property  an  opportunity 
to  defend  his  right  to  it.  Therefore  it  is  not  lawful  for  any 
person  to  destroy  them  by  way  of  abatement  of  a common 
nuisance,  and,  a fortiori , not  lawful  to  use  force  for  that  purpose. 

“2d . It  is  not  lawful  by  the  common  law  for  any  and  all 
persons  to  abate  a common  nuisance,  though  the  doctrine  may 
have  been  sometimes  stated  in  terms  so  general  as  to  give 
countenance  to  this  supposition.  This  right  and  power  is 
never  entrusted  to  individuals  in  general  without  process  of 
law,  by  way  of  vindicating  the  public  right,  but  solely  for  the 
relief  of  a party  whose  right  is  obstructed  by  such  nuisance. 

“3d.  If  such  were  intended  to  be  made  the  law  by  force 
of  the  statute,  it  would  be  contrary  to  the  provisions  of  the 
Constitution,  which  directs  that  no  man’s  property  can  be 
taken  from  him  without  compensation,  except  by  the  judgment 
of  his  peers  or  the  law  of  the  land;  and  no  person  can  be  twice 
punished  for  the  same  offence,  and  it  is  clear  that,  under  the 
statutes,  spirituous  liquors  are  property  and  entitled  to 
protection  as  such.  The  power  of  abatement  of  a public  or 
common  nuisance  does  not  place  the  penal  laws  of  the 
Commonwealth  in  private  hands. 

“4th.  The  true  theory  of  abatement  of  nuisance  is  that  an 
individual  citizen  may  abate  a private  nuisance  injurious  to 
him,  when  he  could  also  bring  an  action;  and  also,  when  a 
common  nuisance  obstructs  his  individual  right,  he  may  remove 
it  to  enable  him  to  enjoy  that  right,  and  he  cannot  be  called 
in  question  for  so  doing.  As  in  the  obstruction  across  a 
highway,  and  an  unauthorized  bridge  over  a navigable  water- 
course, if  he  has  occasion  to  use  it,  he  may  remove  it  by  way 
of  abatement.  But  this  would  not  justify  strangers,  being 
inhabitants  of  other  parts  of  the  Commonwealth,  having  no 
such  occasion  to  use  it,  to  do  the  same.  Some  of  the  earlier 
cases,  perhaps,  in  laying  down  the  general  proposition  that 
private  subjects  may  abate  a common  nuisance,  did  not 


1 1 8 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


/ 

expressly  mark  this  distinction;  but  we  think,  upon  the 
authority  of  modern  cases,  where  the  distinctions  are  more 
accurately  made,  and  upon  principle,  this  is  the  true  rule  of 
law. 

“5th.  As  it  is  the  use  of  a building,  or  the  keeping  of 
spirituous  liquors  in  it,  which  in  general  constitutes  a nuisance, 
the  abatement  consists  in  putting  a stop  to  such  use. 

“6th.  The  keeping  of  a building  for  the  sale  of  intoxicating 
liquors,  if  a nuisance  at  all,  is  exclusively  a common  nuisance; 
and  the  fact  that  the  husbands,  wives,  children  or  servants  of 
any  person  do  frequent  such  a place  and  get  intoxicating 
liquor  there,  does  not  make  it  a special  nuisance  or  injury  to 
their  private  rights,  so  as  to  authorize  and  justify  such  persons 
in  breaking  into  the  shop  or  building  where  it  is  thus  sold, 
and  destroying  the  liquor  there  found,  and  the  vessels  in  which 
it  may  be  kept;  but  it  can  only  be  prosecuted  as  a public  or 
common  nuisance  in  the  mode  prescribed  by  law. 

“Upon  these  grounds,  without  reference  to  others  which 
may  be  reported  in  detail  hereafter,  the  Court  are  of  opinion 
that  the  verdict  for  the  defendants  must  be  set  aside,  and  a 
new  trial  had.” 

Judges  of  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court  at  the  time  of  this 
report, — 

Hon.  Lemuel  Shaw,  Chief  Justice. 

Hon.  Charles  A.  Dewey. 

Hon.  Theron  Metcalf. 

Hon.  George  T.  Bigelow. 

Hon.  Benjamin  F.  Thomas. 

Hon.  Pliny  Merrick. 

Hon.  Stephen  H.  Phillips,  Attorney-General. 

In  the  month  of  December,  1859,  a new  trial  was  had  before 
the  Superior  Court.  Hon.  Judge  Rockwell  presided;  it  occupied 
the  Court  three  days.  The  defendants  undertook  to  show  that 
they  had  committed  no  trespass.  The  Jury,  after  being  out 
eighteen  hours,  returned  a verdict  for  the  defendants, 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


119 


on  the  ioth.  day  of  December,  1859 — Perry  and  Endicott 
for  the  plaintiff;  Perkins,  Derby  and  Rantoul  for  the 
defendants. 


20 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


History  of  the  Public  Schools. 

The  Centennial  Address  contains  the  early  history  of  our 
public  school  system,  which  of  course  we  need  not  reiterate, 
yet,  in  order  to  give  a clear  statement  of  the  later  history,  we 
deem  it  necessary  to  take  up  our  public  school  system  at  the 
date  of  the  incorporation  of  the  town.  At  which  time  we  find 
its  territory  had  been  divided  into  six  school  districts,  four  of 
which,  Nos.  7,  8,  9 and  10,  were  in  Sandy  Bay;  two,  Nos.  11 
and  12,  were  at  Pigeon  Cove.  Each  district  was  provided 
with  a tolerably  convenient  schoolhouse,  or  what  was  so 
considered  in  those  days.  After  the  incorporation  of  the 
town,  the  school  districts  were  re-numbered.  No.  1 was  in 
the  center  of  the  town;  its  schoolhouse  was  about  thirty  feet 
square,  one  story,  with  a hip-roof.  It  was  located  on  the  site 
that  the  Sandy  Bay  House  stable  and  hall  now  occupies.  No. 
2 was  at  the  southern  part  of  the  town;  its  schoolhouse  was 
the  now  dwelling-house  which  is  located  nearly  opposite  the 
Mt.  Pleasant  schoolhouse.  No.  3 was  Main  Street,  all  the 
territory  south-westerly  of  Butman’s  corner.  Its  schoolhouse 
was  the  one  on  the  corner  of  Main  Street  and  Railroad  Avenue. 
It  was  built  in  1824;  it  is  now  of  higher  post  and  has  a small 
porch  added.  No.  4 was  on  Beach  Street  between  the  house 
of  Addison  Knowlton  and  Alvin  Sanborn,  and  was  of  the 
same  pattern  of  the  Main  Street.  No.  5 schoolhouse  was 
about  of  the  same  style  and  size  and  was  located  northerly  of 
the  residence  of  Mr.  Alpheus  Goodwin.  No.  6 was  on  the 
corner  of  Granite  and  Curtis  streets.  It  was  about  twenty-four 
feet  square,  one  story  and  a hip-roof;  it  has  been  enlarged  and 
improved  and  is  now  the  dwelling-house  of  Mrs.  John  Murray. 

Each  district  chose  annually  a prudential  committee  of  one 


HISTORY  OF ROCKPORT. 


12 


to  three  persons  who  had  the  charge  of  the  school  property, 
attended  to  repairs,  provided  fuel  and  engaged  the  teacher. 
The  town  school  committee  had  the  general  supervision  of 
the  schools,  examining  of  the  teachers,  etc.  This  state  of 
things  continued  until  March,  1855,  when  the  town  at  its 
annual  meeting  voted  to  abolish  the  district  and  mixed  system 
and  adopt  the  town  and  graded  system. 

Soon  after  the  incorporation  of  the  town,  District  No.  1 
found  it  necessary  to  build  another  schoolhouse  in  order  to 
accommodate  the  increase  of  pupils.  This  house  they  located 
on  School  Street,  on  or  near  the  site  now  ‘occupied  by  Mr. 
Hartley’s  shop.  About  the  same  time,  District  No.  2 built 
about  one-half  of  the  present  Mt.  Pleasant  schoolhouse.  At 
a later  day  it  was  enlarged  to  its  present  size. 

In  the  year  1850,  district  No.  1 built  the  large  schoolhouse 
on  Broadway,  at  a cost  of  about  $5500. 

In  the  year  1 849,  a High  School  was  opened  in  the  vestry 
of  the  Congregational  society,  Benj.  Giles  teacher;  a fall  term 
of  two  months  and  a winter  term  of  three  months.  This 
school  was  continued,  the  next  year,  in  the  same  room  and 
by  the  same  teacher,  the  spring  and  fall  terms  and  the  first 
two  weeks  of  the  winter  term,  when,  at  his  own  request,  he 
was  released  in  order  to  accept  a more  permanent  situation  in 
another  town.  Mr.  George  Parsons  was  called  to  fill  the 
vacancy  and  served  with  credit  the  balance  of  the  term.  The 
Committee,  in  their  report  to  the  town,  March  1851,  say: 
“This  school  was  established  as  a High  School  and  was 
sustained  as  such  the  first  five  months,  but  the  system  of 
receiving  scholars  ordered  by  vote  of  the  town  the  second 
year  placed  it  in  quite  a different  position.”  In  complying 
with  this  vote,  the  Committee  could  not  fix  upon  any  specific 
standard  of  qualification  or  age,  in  receiving  scholars,  but 
simply  admit  a proportional  number  of  the  best  scholars  who 
might  apply  from  the  several  districts.  This  method,  while 
it  secured  some  of  the  best  talent,  also  admitted  a large  number 


122 


HISTOR  V OF ROCKPORT. 


who  were  unfit  both  as  regards  scholarship  and  age.  Therefore 
it  will  be  seen  that  the  town  after  making  an  appropriation  to 
sustain  a High  School,  by  a subsequent  vote  defeated  the 
object,”  and  at  the  end  of  the  second  year  the  school  was 
closed. 

In  relation  to  the  grading  of  the  schools,  the  Committee, 
in  their  report  at  the  annual  town  meeting  in  1856,  say:  “As 
soon  as  practicable  after  the  annual  meeting  in  March  last, 
we  proceeded  to  re-organize  the  schools  as  we  were  instructed 
by  the  vote  of  the  town,  although,  from  lack  of  suitable 
accommodations, *it  was  impossible  to  adopt  the  graded  system 
in  all  its  entireness.”  “The  Committee  believe  that  the 
experiment  has  demonstrated  that  it  possesses  many  advantages 
over  the  district  system;  and  we  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that 
the  schools  of  1855 — 56,  taken  all  in  all,  are  fifty  per  cent, 
better  than  the  preceding  year.”  “Our  observation  and 
experience  have  convinced  us  that  the  new  is  superior  to  the 
old  system:  first,  it  secures  better  order;  second,  it  is  more 
economical;  third  it  affords  superior  facilities  for  improvement.” 
The  Committee  were  Rev.  A.  C.  L.  Arnold,  Benj.  Giles,  Austin 
W.  Story.  The  grades  established  this  first  year  were  Primary 
and  Grammar. 

The  first  year  of  the  graded  system  the  town  paid  rent  to 
the  several  districts  for  the  use  of  their  houses,  amounting  to 
eight  hundred  dollars.  The  next  year  the  town  purchased 
the  school  property  (six  houses)  at  an  appraisal  of  $867 5, 
made  by  a disinterested  Committee  from  out  of  town. 

During  several  winters  after  the  graded  system  was  adopted 
there  were  special  winter  schools  for  boys  who  to  a greater 
or  less  extent  were  deprived  of  school  privileges  other  seasons 
of  the  year.  One  of  these  schools,  the  first  winter,  was  in  the 
Mt.  Pleasant  schoolhouse,  a Grammar  school  of  sixty-six 
members,  taught  by  Mr.  Ezekiel  Bradstreet.  An  Intermediate 
school  in  the  Proprietor’s  schoolhouse,  with  a membership  of 
sixty-three,  was  taught  by  Mr.  Nathaniel  Poole.  This  school 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


123 


was  not  a success.  The  next  winter  there  were  three  schools 
for  boys,  but  year  by  year  after  this  second  winter  these  boy 
pupils  were  gradually  merged  in  the  Grammar  schools,  but 
there  remained  a class  of  young  men  who  were  wholly 
deprived  of  school  privileges  the  other  seasons  of  the  year, 
and  for  this  class  was  constituted  the  young  men’s  winter 
school,  which  has  been  continued  with  good  results  until  the 
winter  of  1886 — 87  when,  after  four  weeks’  service,  the  teacher, 
Samuel  A.  Couilard,  resigned  and  the  school  was  closed.  In 
the  winter  of  1887 — 88  it  was  re-opened  as  an  evening  school, 
in  the  Main  Street  schoolhouse,  C.  D.  Brown  teacher.  After 
six  weeks’  service  his  connection  with  the  school  closed,  and 
Mr.  Andrew  F.  Clark  took  charge  the  balance  of  the  term 
and  was  quite  successful. 

During  all  these  years  our  public  schools  have  been  favored 
with  earnest  and  faithful  teachers;  their  labors  have  been  quite 
successful.  For  the  most  part  these  teachers  have  been  of 
our  own  citizens. 

The  winter  of  1869 — 70,  a school  of  an  Intermediate  grade 
was  established  on  the  second  floor  of  the  Broadway  school- 
house,  with  a membership  of  one  hundred  and  twenty,  Mrs. 
Eliza  T.  Prince,  principal;  Miss  Aria  Torrey,  assistant.  These 
teachers  succeeded  in  giving  this  school  a good  start.  The 
examination  at  the  close  of  the  term  gave  evidence  of  commend- 
able improvement.  Mrs.  Prince  continued  in  charge  of  this 
school  until  her  death  which  took  place,  after  a short  illness, 
April  20th.  1883,  at  the  age  of  forty-seven  years,  nine  months, 
ten  days.  She  was  an  earnest  and  faithful  teacher. 

At  the  close  of the  spring  term  in  1882,  Miss  Nellie  J.  Poole 
who  had  been  a faithful  assistant  teacher  of  the  Broadway 
Primary  for  one  year  and  principal  five  years,  resigned  her 
charge  on  account  of  ill  health  and  after  a long  sickness  which 
she  bore  with  Christian  resignation,  departed  this  life  Sept. 
22d.  1884,  aged  twenty-seven  years,  nine  months. 

In  the  year  1884  a Sub-Grammar  school  was  opened  in 


124 


ms  TOR  Y OF  RO  CKPOR  T. 


the  Town  Hall  building,  with  a membership  of  forty-three, 
Miss  Ida  Manning  teacher.  The  Mt.  Pleasant  Grammar  was 
changed  to  an  Intermediate  of  three  grades,  the  Broadway 
Intermediate  from  three  grades  to  two.  A similar  change 
was  made  at  Pigeon  Cove.  The  Grammar  school  of  six 
grades  was  divided,  an  Intermediate  school  of  three  grades 
was  established  at  the  Phillips  Avenue  schoolhouse  and  a 
Grammar  school  of  three  grades  was  organized  at  the  Pigeon 
Hill.  The  Committee,  in  their  annual  report,  March  1885, 
say:  “Now  there  is  not  an  ungraded  school  in  town;  all  have 
equal  privileges,  and  every  pupil  can  go  without  drawback 
from  Primary  to  High.”  This  movement  caused  the  Committee 
to  call  for  an  additional  appropriation  of  $1600,  which,  at  a 
special  town  meeting  in  December  1884,  was  granted  by 
nearly  a unanimous  vote.  At  this  same  special  meeting,  the 
town  appropriated  $1350  to  supply  all  the  children  in  our 
public  schools  with  free  text-books,  pursuant  to  an  act  of  the 
previous  General  Court. 

The  fall  term  of  1 886,  a Sub-Intermediate  school  was  opened 
in  the  Corporation  boarding-house,  with  a membership  of 
thirty-six,  Miss  Charlotte  R.  Duguid  teacher.  This  school 
continued  until  the  close  of  the  spring  term  in  1887,  then  was 
disbanded. 

The  first  schoolhouse  built  by  the  town  in  its  corporate 
capacity  was  on  Phillips  Avenue,  Pigeon  Cove,  in  the  year 
1857,  at  a cost  °f  $2963.59.  Beach  Street  schoolhouse  was 
built  in  i860,  at  a cost  of  $1439.71.  The  High  schoolhouse 
was  built  in  1865.  It  cost,  including  the  lot  and  furniture, 
$4046.56.  It  was  raised  from  its  foundation,  in  1869,  and 
lower  story  constructed  for  a Grammar  school,  at  a cost  of 
$2608.90.  Furnace  and  other  improvements  in  1870  cost 
$479.09.  The  Pigeon  Hill  schoolhouse  was  built  in  1871  at 
a cost,  including  lot  and  furniture,  of  $4864.46. 

By  a fair  that  was  held  in  1865,  under  the  management  of 
Mrs.  Daniel  Staniford  and  others,  the  sum  of  $325  was  realized, 


HISTORY  OF ROCKPORT 


125 


with  which  twenty  volumes  of  American  Cyclopaedia  and 
other  books  of  reference  were  purchased  and  a piano  for  the 
use  of  the  High  School,  but  these  several  purchases  involved 
a debt  of  about  $200  which  by  school  exhibitions  was  soon 
cancelled.  John  Preston,  Esq.,  donated  to  the  school  a neatly 
framed  lithograph  of  the  Hon.  Horace  Mann. 

At  an  earlier  day  than  this,  viz.  1863,  when  Mr.  Andrew 
F.  Clark  had  charge  of  the  High  School,  a change  of  reading 
books  was  made  and  there  was  also  a purchase  of  Guyot’s 
large  maps.  Thirty-one  dollars  of  this  expense  was  met  by 
funds  raised  by  a school  exhibition. 

The  present  High  School  was  instituted  in  the  Proprietor’s 
schoolhouse  in  the  spring  of  the  year  1857,  Miss  M.  A. 
Cogswell  of  Essex  teacher  at  a salary  of  three  hundred  dollars 
for  the  school  year  of  thirty-six  weeks.  The  average  member- 
ship for  the  year  was  thirty-nine,  average  attendance  thirty-five. 
This  school  continued  in  the  same  room,  though  presided 
over  by  other  teachers,  until  the  winter  of  1859 — 60,  when  it 
occupied  the  Main  Street  schoolhouse  which  had  been  raised 
to  higher  post  and  otherwise  improved  lor  the  use  of  this 
school.  In  1861  the  school  removed  to  the  Proprietor’s 
house  and  there  it  remained  until  the  3d.  day  of  February 
1866,  when  it  was  removed  to  the  room  that  had  been  built 
for  its  use  on  Broadway,  which  is  the  same  premises  it  has 
occupied  until  the  present  time;  but  this  room  has  been  lifted 
some  twelve  feet  and  a lower  story  constructed  for  the  use  of 
the  Grammar  Schools  This  school  has  enjoyed  a good  degree 
of  prosperity  during  nearly  all  of  the  years  of  its  history,  and 
its  membership  the  most  of  the  years  has  been  nearly  equal 
to  the  capacity  of  the  room.  The  exception  to  this  rule  was 
in  the  winter  of  1875 — 76  when  its  membership  was  but 
twenty.  These  later  years  there  has  been  an  increase  of 
membership  and  attendance  and  the  room  for  several  years 
has  been  quite  full,  and  we  notice  that  the  Committee’s  report 
gives  a large,  yea,  almost  perfect  attendance.  The  present 


126 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKPORT. 


principal,  Mr.  Andrew  F.  Clark,  commenced  service  at  the 
fall  term  of  1 88 1 and  his  assistant,  Miss  Katherine  A.  Giles, 
has  served  in  that  capacity  since  the  year  1879.  Salaries  of 
the  teachers  last  year  (1887)  were  $1057.98. 

The  average  membership  for  the  year  ending  February 
last  was  58^3;  average  attendance  during  the  same  time  was 
56  8-9. 

The  first  graduate  of  this  school  to  receive  a diploma  was 
Miss  Marietta  Pool,  June  22d.  1866. 

Other  graduates,  as  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  learn,  are 
as  follows: — 

February,  1869:  George  L.  Elwell,  Romulus  Norwood, 
Emma  M.  Philbrook,  Emily  D.  Haskell,  Aria  M.  Torrey, 
Adelia  Parsons. 

March,  1870:  Orin  S.  Tarr,  Eli  Gott,  Daniel  O.  Marshall, 
Mary  Eliza  Todd,  Mary  C.  Tufts,  Katherine  A.  Giles,  Martha 
Fretch,  Rhoda  Stillman. 

P'ebruary,  1871:  Ada  S.  Tarr,  Emma  S.  Manning,  Mary  J. 
Tarr,  Ellen  Jones,  Mary  Dade,  Rebecca  Knowlton,  John  H. 
Giles,  Fred  A.  Stimson. 

Feb.  23d.,  1872:  Ada  Stanwood  Tarr,  Carrie  J.  Wheeler, 
Ella  O.  Tarr,  Sarah  E.  Philbrook,  Cora  S.  Curtis,  Grafton 
Butman,  Sumner  D.  York. 

Feb.  2 1st.,  1873:  E.  Archer  Bradley,  Annie  E.  Giles,  Ellen 
E.  Greenwood,  Aria  Grimes,  Mary  L.  Knowlton,  Ida  Manning, 
Helen  A.  Leighton,  Dora  Littlefield,  George  E.  Mills,  Sarah 

L.  Parsons,  Nellie  J.  Poole,  Mary  L.  Richardson,  Annie  E. 
Rowe,  Sarah  A.  Stillman,  Martha  C.  Tarr,  Roger  H.  Tarr, 
Susie  N.  Torrey,  Hattie  F.  Tucker,  Lydia  D.  Webster,  Lucilla* 

M.  Wetherbee,  Lucinda  C.  Parsons. 

Feb.  27th.,  1874:  Mattie  Bradley,  Mary  Lurvey,  Emily 
Day,  Sarah  McNeil,  Lizzie  Rowe,  Nellie  Story,  Jennie  Manning, 
Florence  Paul,  Alletta  Pool,  Hattie  Jannett,  Jennie  Parsons, 
Eddie  Roberts,  Emma  Sanborn,  Frank  Lufkin. 


HISTOR  V OF ROCKPORT. 


127 


February,  1875:  Fred  Bradley,  Nellie  Tucker,  Nettie  Slocum, 
Adelia  Oakes. 

February,  1876:  Willie  E.  Nickerson,  Lizzie  Paul,  Ella 
Conley,  Mary  O.  Jones. 

June,  1877:  James  P.  Prince,  Wilmot  R.  Griffin. 

June,  1878:  George  W.  Cleaves,  Fannie  M.  Sanborn. 

None  in  1879. 

June,  1880:  Elsie  M.  Dann,  Laura  J.  Tait,  Clara  M.  Tufts. 

June,  1881:  Nellie  Fears,  Annie  G.  Marshall,  Ruth  Stillman, 
Lottie  Robbins,  D.  Chester  Tarr. 

June,  1882:  Joanna  F.  McGrath,  Susie  G.  Dennis,  M.  Gertie 
Clark,  Marshall  H.  Saville,  Charles  H.  Andrews. 

June,  1883:  Charles  Ward  Marshall,  Annie  M.Tarr,  Waldo 
Babson,  Carrie  N.  Bray,  Gilman  E.  Marston,  Gertrude  M. 
McNeil,  Grace  C.  Poole,  Addie  F.  Poole,  Emma  G.  Lufkin, 
George  L.  Bray. 

June,  1884:  Charlotte  R.  Duguid,  Fred  H.  Tarr,  Nellie  H 
Choate,  Keturah  M.  Tarr,  Lottie  S.  McClain,  Lena  M. 
Leighton. 

May  29th.,  1885:  Maude  M.  Story,  Ada  C.  Low,  Janette 
Parker,  Ida  A.  Andrews,  Charles  D.  Knowlton,  Clarence  H. 
Sanborn. 

June  4th.,  1886:  Lizzie  Luella  Hutchins,  Isabella  Margaret 
Duguid,  Carrie  Clifton  Dennis,  Alice  Maude  Weber,  Gertrude 
Wilckens  Weber. 

June  10th.,  1887:  Efifie  E.  Murray,  Lizzie  M.  Winn,  Lillian 
Young,  Annie  D.  Hodgins,  Mary  O.  Allen. 

June  15th.,  1888:  Jennie  R.  Brown,  Emma  S.  Carter,  Grace 
A.  Butman,  Fannie  M.  Jones,  Florence  M.  Scripture,  Carrie 
A.  Poole,  Katharine  D.  Wetherbee,  J.  Fred  Cleaves. 

The  appropriations  for  school  purposes  from  the  year  1855, 
when  the  graded  system  was  adopted,  to  the  year  1887, 
inclusive,  for  salary  of  Committee  and  teachers,  repairs  on 
school  property,  janitors’  service,  fuel,  free  text-books,  in  fact 
all  expense  for  school  purposes  except  the  construction  of  new 


128 


HIS  TOR  Y OF  ROCKPOR  T. 


buildings,  was  as  follows: — By  taxation,  5170,461;  income  of 
the  surplus  revenue,  5977.42;  received  from  the  State  school 
fund,  56,962.24;  total  appropriations,  $178,461.66.  Expended 
during  the  same  years  and  for  the  purposes  above  named, 
$189,891.51.  Excess  of  expenditure  over  appropriation, 
511,429.80,  which  of  course  has  been  paid  from  money 
appropriated  for  other  purposes. 

The  first  appropriation  by  the  town  for  public  schools,  after 
its  incorporation  in  1840,  was  $800.  In  the  year  1855  the 
town  voted  to  adopt  the  graded  system  and  appropriated 
52000  for  school  purposes.  The  next  year  the  appropriation 
for  school  purposes  was  53600.  In  1888  it  was  $7350. 

The  town  now  has  six  schoolhouses,  and  a room  in  the 
Town  Hall,  occupied  by  the  Sub-Grammar;  thirteen  schools 
in  operation  during  the  school  year  of  thirty-six  weeks,  viz: 
six  Primary,  three  Intermediate,  one  Sub-Grammar,  two 
Grammar,  one  High  School.  In  addition  to  these  there  has 
been  supported  a winter  school  with  one  teacher,  for  young 
men,  for  some  twenty-five  winters  last  past. 

At  the  closing  of  the  school  year,  June  1888,  Miss  Martha 
C.  Richardson  who  served  as  assistant  teacher  of  Broadway 
Grammar  School  three  years  and  principal  fifteen  years,  and 
Miss  Florence  Story,  principal  of  Pigeon  Hill  Grammar  the 
last  year,  previous  to  which  she  had  served  as  assistant  for 
several  years,  resigned  their  charge.  They  were  faithful  and 
earnest  teachers. 


HIS  TOR  Y OF  ROCKPOR  T. 


CHAPTER  V. 


Re-interment  of  the  Remains  of  Rev.  David  Jewett. 

The  following  account  of  the  interesting  service  of  the 
re-interment  of  the  remains  of  the  Rev.  David  Jewett  was 
published  in  the  Gloucester  Telegraph  and  Xews,  July  23 d., 
1856:— 

“Without  aiming  to  give  an  undue  notoriety  to  the  character 
of  one  who  was  the  farthest  from  wishing  to  be  known  of 
men,  it  may  serve  to  account  for  the  interest  felt  and  manifested 
in  the  above  occasion,  when  it  is  understood  that  Mr.  Jewett 
found  the  church  and  society,  which  he  was  called  on  to  take 
charge  of,  in  the  lowest  condition  conceivable,  for  a people 
who  had  enjoyed  the  benefits  of  a preached  gospel.  But  two 
males,  and  seven  or  eight  females,  all  of  them  aged,  constituted 
the  whole  of  the  visible  church  of  what  was  then  called  the 
fifth  parish  of  Gloucester;  and  in  other  respects  the  prospects 
with  which  he  entered  on  his  labors  were  most  discouraging. 

During  his  ministry,  he  saw  all  of  the  older  societies  of 
Gloucester  depart  from  the  faith  handed  down  from  the 
Puritans,  either  carried  away  by  the  tide  of  Universalism,  that 
swept  over  the  Cape  after  the  preaching  of  Murray,  or  by  the 
later  and  more  general  flow  of  Unitarianism  which  extended 
through  this  and  neighboring  states.  Yet,  nothing  daunted, 
he  steered  his  own  bark  in  safety  through  the  storm,  and 
gathered  from  the  wrecks  around  him  enough  to  re-organize 
and  re-construct.  And  it  is  to  his  perseverance  and  devotedness 
that  Gloucester  now  owes,  under  Providence,  her  three,  and 
Rockport  her  two.  Orthodox  churches.  In  a ministry  of 
thirty-one  years  his  church  had  increased  from  ten  to  upwards 
of  two  hundred  and  fifty  members,  rendering  it  one  of  the 
largest,  if  not  the  largest,  in  the  County. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


130 

But  in  that  time  he  had  worn  down  an  iron  constitution, 
and  although  settled  for  life,  he  chose  voluntarily,  with  that 
spirit  of  self-sacrifice  which  always  distinguished  him,  to  retire 
with  his  family  and  not  be  a burden  where  he  could  be  no 
longer  useful.  The  last  five  years  of  his  life  Mr.  Jewett  spent 
with  his  family,  chiefly  in  Marblehead  and  Waltham,  occasion- 
ally preaching  as  he  was  able,  but  most  of  the  time  a sufferer 
from  severe  disease — probably  softening  of  the  brain,  the  effect 
of  severe  mental  labors — which  ended  his  days  July  20th., 
1841,  at  the  house  ot  his  son-in-law,  Rev.  Mr.  Whitney  of 
Waltham.  A funeral  service  was  preached  at  Waltham  at  his 
first  interment,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Crowell,  the  lately  deceased 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Essex,  whose  old  and 
tried  friend  he  was — who  both  knew  him  intimately  and  was 
worthy  from  sympathy  with  his  good  qualities,  to  speak  of 
him  according  to  his  merits,  on  such  an  occasion.  His  sermon 
was  subsequently  repeated  before  his  own  church  at  Rockport. 
It  was  the  wish  of  the  society  to  have  his  remains  brought 
here  and  interred  immediately  after  his  decease.  But  no  steps 
were  then  taken  to  effect  the  object,  as  it  was  understood  that 
Mrs.  Jewett  could  not  be  prevailed  upon  to  give  them  up, 
being  desirous  of  having  them  deposited  where  she  contemplated 
her  own  would  rest,  the  family  tomb  at  Marblehead.  The 
reasons,  which,  after  so  long  a period  had  elapsed,  induced 
the  society  to  make  the  request,  will  be  best  understood  by 
the  following  letter: 

Rockport,  Feb.  12th.,  1855. 

“To  DAVID  B.  JEWETT,  Esq., 

Dear  Sir: — On  the  part  of  the  Committee  whose  names  are  given 
below,  I am  empowered  to  make  to  you  the  following  communication. 

“At  the  annual  Parish  Meeting  held  in  the  vestry  of  the  Congregational 
Society,  March  3d.,  1855,  it  was  voted  unanimously,  that  Deacon 
Thomas  Giles,  Deacon  Jabez  R.  Gott,  Deacon  William  Whipple, 
Deacon  Matthew  S.  Giles  and  Dr.  Benjamin  Haskell,  be  a committee 
to  carry  the  9th.  article  into  effect. 

“The  ninth  article  of  the  warrant  was  in  substance:  ‘To  gee  if  the 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKPOR  T. 


131 

society  will  request  of  the  relatives  of  the  former  Pastor  of  this  Church 
and  Society,  Rev.  David  Jewett,  l»is  remains,  with  the  view  of 
transferring  them  to  this  place  for  interment,  and  of  erecting  a suitable 
monument  to  his  memory.’ 

“Be  assured,  sir,  that  no  more  grateful  office  could  fall  to  the  lot  of 
this  Committee,  thus  constituted,  than  that  which  devolves  upon 
them  by  this  vote,  and  in  making  the  above  request  through  you,  they 
wish  you  and  your  friends  to  understand  that  it  is  but  the  expression 
of  the  general  voice  not  only  of  the  Church  and  Parish,  but  of  the 
whole  town.  The  memory  of  your  father  is  fre:h  in  the  minds  of  the 
people  here.  Whatever  diversity  of  opinion  and  feeling  he  may  have 
encountered  during  his  ministry,  there  is  now  but  one  opinion,  and 
one  feeling  as  to  the  value  of  his  teachings  and  example  on  the  minds 
of  all  w ho  came  under  his  influence.  Even  those  opposed  to  him  in 
religious  sentiment  may  often  be  heard  speaking  of  the  great  instru- 
mentality of  his  labors,  in  elevating  the  character,  and  promoting  the 
temporal  interests  of  the  piace,  and  of  the  consequent  obligations  of 
all  citizens  co  him. 

“It  is  only  of  late,  that  it  has  been  generally  understood  with  us, 
that  he  expressed  a wish  in  his  last  hours  to  be  buried  among  his 
people,  whom  he  served  so  long  and  so  faithfully.  And  this  wish 
only  required  to  be  know  n to  be  reciprocated. 

“The  first  annual  meeting  of  the  Parish,  after  the  centennial 
celebration  of  the  organization  of  the  Church,  was  deemed  a fit  occasion 
to  bring  the  subject  before  the  society;  and  it  may  be  gratifying  to 
your  relatives  to  know  that  there  wras  no  dissenting  voice.  When  the 
vote  was  taken,  all  in  the  house  rose  spontaneously  to  testify  their 
regard  for  their  former  beloved  and  deceased  pastor.  It  was  evident 
that  they  esteemed  it  a privilege  to  be  able  to  join  in  some  substantial 
demonstration  of  respect  to  his  memory. 

“Will  you,  sir,  have  the  kindness  to  confer  with  your  brothers  and 
sisters,  and  with  your  revered  mother,  as  soon  as  convenient,  and  let 
me  know  whether  the  request  of  the  society  can  be  acceded  to.  And 
should  your  answer  be  favorable,  any  suggestions  you  may  see  fit  to 
make  respecting  the  time  of  removal  of  the  remains,  the  ceremonies, 
and  arrangements  to  be  made  011  that  occasion,  as  well  as  the  kind  of 
monument  to  be  erected,  will  be  thankfully  received  and  duly 
considered. 

(Signed)  Yours  respectfully, 

BENJ.  HASKELL.” 

To  this  letter,  a favorable  answer  was  received,  and  in 
course  of  a year  a most  beautiful  monument  of  granite,  planned 


132 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


and  executed  by  L.  B.  Pratt,  of  this  town,  was  placed  on  a 
conspicuous  spot  near  the  centre  of  the  old  burying-ground  at 
Rockport,  and  surrounded  by  the  graves  of  his  parishioners 
and  people.  To  this  spot,  on  Sunday  the  13th.  inst.,  after  the 
close  of  religious  services  conducted  most  eloquently  and 
feelingly  by  his  son,  Rev.  Wm.  R.  Jewett,  of  Plymouth,  N. 
H.,  the  remains  were  brought  from  the  church,  followed  by  a 
long  procession  of  citizens  who  had  spontaneously  gathered  to 
testify  their  regard  for  his  memory.  There  in  the  presence 
of  an  audience  of  nearly  two  thousand,  many  of  whom  were 
affected  even  to  tears,  they  were  committed  in  trust  to  the 
citizens,  by  the  family.  Rev.  Mr.  Richardson  of  Lanesville 
opened  the  proceedings  with  prayer,  prefaced  by  some  touching 
and  appropriate  remarks,  in  which  he  attributed  to  the  deceased 
all  the  countenance  and  encouragement  he  had  received  in 
preparing  himself  for  the  ministry. 

Mr.  Jewett  then  spoke  as  follows. 

“My  Friends: — The  occasion  which  has  called  us  together 
has  much  suited  to  awake  our  sensibilities  and  to  fill  our  hearts 
with  intense  emotion.  The  love  of  one's  native  place  is  an 
universal  law  of  our  nature.  But  we,  the  children  of  the  late 
Rev.  David  Jewett  of  this  place,  have  come  back  to  revisit 
the  scenes  and  friends  of  our  childhood  under  circumstances 
of  peculiar  interest.  We  have  seen  the  sun  rise  and  set  where 
it  rose  and  set  in  the  days  of  our  infancy;  we  have  looked  out 
on  the  broad  ocean  on  whose  brow  Time  writes  no  change, 
and  we  have  visited  the  dwelling-place  of  our  parents.  We 
have  this  day  worshipped  in  the  old  meeting-house  where  our 
father  for  so  many  years  preached  the  gospel  of  Christ.  There 
we  have  met  a few  familiar  faces,  many  half  recognized 
countenances,  but  more  who  were  strangers  to  us.  We  made 
haste  to  enter  this  resting-place  of  our  departed  friends  and  to 
read  the  inscriptions  on  the  monuments,  which  conjugal, 
paternal  or  filial  affection  have  erected.  And  if  there  is 
anything  in  association  suited  to  affect  the  mind,  you  will  not 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


133 

wonder  that  we  are  filled  with  emotions  which  language  cannot 
express. 

The  occasion  brings  back  to  our  view  the  old  forms  of  your 
fathers  and  mothers,  the  devoted  parishioners  of  our  father, 
who  with  him  have  entered  the  world  of  spirits.  It  is  not  you 
alone  by  whom  I am  surrounded,  and  on  whom  my  attention 
is  fixed.  No;  I have  been  holding  silent,  solemn  converse 
with  blessed  spirits,  who  seem  to  be  hovering  around,  witnessing 
what  is  now  passing  here.  I have  already  said,  that  we  have 
come  back  to  visit  the  scenes  of  our  childhood  under  circum- 
stances of  most  unusual  interest.  Agreeable  to  your  request, 
we  have  come  to  give  up  the  remains  of  our  honored  father, 
that  they  may  lie  with  the  people  cherished  in  his  fondest 
affection  and  remembered  in  his  latest  prayers.  It  is  not  my 
purpose  now  to  draw  a portraiture  of  my  father.  The  present 
occasion  does  not  call  for  it.  Most  of  you  knew  him.  I refer 
to  your  memories.  He  had  a strongly  marked  character. 
He  was  distinguished  for  great  energy  and  for  an  admirably 
balanced  understanding,  whose  conclusions  were  seldom 
erroneous.  His  moral  characteristics  were,  however,  more 
remarkable  than  his  mental.  He  was  a man  of  childlike 
simplicity  but  of  iron  determination.  He  was  distinguished 
above  most  men  for  his  courage  and  independence.  He  sought 
the  opinions  of  others,  but  relied  very  much  on  his  own.  He 
was  morally  and  physically  brave.  He  was  a man  who  would 
have  entered  the  deadly  breach  or  stormed  a redoubt.  Had 
he  been  present  at  the  Court  of  Babylon,  he  would  have  gone 
with  the  three  youths  into  the  fiery  furnace,  rather  than  have 
bowed  down  to  the  golden  image.  Beneath  a strong  will  and 
an  apparently  stern  temperament  were  concealed  a sympa- 
thizing tenderness,  warm  affections  and  a generous  disinterest- 
edness. I am  not  ignorant  of  the  fact,  that  during  his  long 
pastorate,  he  encountered  great  opposition.  In  the  early  part 
of  his  ministerial  course,  the  mass  of  the  people  in  the  town 
differed  widely  from  him  in  religious  belief,  and  compromise 


134 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


was  not  in  his  vocabulary.  But  I rejoice  to  learn,  that  regard 
for  his  memory  has  overleaped  the  limits  of  his  church  and 
denomination,  that  his  character  is  respected  equally  by  those 
who  reject,  as  well  as  by  those  who  embrace  his  religious 
sentiments.  As  has  just  been  said  by  my  brother  in  the 
ministry,  he  needed  not  this  beautiful  monument  which  you 
have  erected  to  perpetuate  his  name.  No;  he  lives  in  your 
grateful  memories,  as  well  as  in  the  truths  which  he  preached. 

But  the  grave  waits  to  receive  her  trust.  You  have  asked 
for  his  mortal  remains.  In  behalf  of  my  aged  mother  and  his 
children  I now  give  them  up.  Let  them  lie  in  this  ancient 
cemetery,  which  he  has  so  often  trod,  till  the  trump  shall 
sound  and  the  dead  shall  rise.  But  standing  on  this  most 
solemn  ground,  I must  say,  that  you  have  bound  us  to  our 
native  place  with  a chain,  which  is  more  than  golden;  the  links 
of  which  will  only  strengthen  as  years  pass  along.  The  grave 
of  our  father  is  now  with  you.  It  contains  our  richest  earthly 
treasure.  The  memory  of  our  father;  it  is  as  green  in  our 
hearts,  as  the  verdure,  which  covers  the  field  of  the  dead. 

This  day  with  its  most  touching  scenes  can  never  be  effaced 
from  our  remembrance,  while  life  and  thought  and  being  last. 
The  permanency,  as  well  as  the  depth  of  your  friendship  is 
most  honorable  to  you. 

The  friends  who  have  welcomed  us  can  never  be  forgotten. 
We  leave  our  native  place,  imploring  the  blessing  of  our 
father’s  God,  the  God  of  Jacob,  upon  you  all.  We  now  part 
in  this  silent  abode  of  the  dead,  in  the  hope  of  a glorious 
resurrection.  We  part  in  the  hope  of  being  united  at  last  in 
the  worship  and  friendship  of  Heaven.” 

This  feeling  address  was  thus  responded  to  by  Dr.  Benjamin 
Haskell: 

“Mr.  Jewett,  family  and  friends: — In  behalf  of  the  church 
and  society,  of  which  your  father  was  the  late  pastor,  and  I 
may  say,  in  behalf  of  the  people  of  Rockport  generally,  the 
Committee  appointed  for  the  purpose,  receive  with  feelings  of 
grateful  emotion,  these  remains. 


HISTOR  V OF ROCKFORT. 


135 


Years  have  elapsed,  since  the  living  form  which  they  represent 
was  wont  to  be  seen  going  in  and  out  before  us.  But  among 
those  who  stand  around  you  to-day,  nearly  all  who  have 
reached  the  meridian  of  life  received  those  early  impressions 
which  contributed  in  a great  measure  to  form  their  characters, 
from  his  teachings  and  examples;  and  to  many  of  them,  he 
was  their  counsel  and  guide  far  along  the  pathway  of  life. 
We  remember  him  in  the  pulpit,  as  the  faithful  and  conscientious 
moral  and  religious  instructor,  whose  whole  soul  seemed 
absorbed  in  promoting  the  spiritual  advancement  of  those 
committed  to  his  charge.  We  remember  him  in  the  schools, 
urging  upon  us  the  importance  of  acquiring  knowledge,  and 
of  the  formation  of  habits  of  mental  discipline  while  we  were 
young,  with  an  earnestness  and  power  which,  I trust,  made 
itself  felt  on  the  minds  of  us  all.  We  remember  him  in  the 
family  circle,  as  the  friend  and  adviser,  and  as  the  consoler  in 
the  hour  of  affliction,  when  he  softened  down  the  austerity 
which  seemed  to  belong  to  his  sacred  office,  into  the  kindly 
sympathy  of  the  man. 

It  has  been  a settled  conviction  with  us,  and  one  not  confined 
to  those  of  his  own  persuasion,  that  the  services  he  rendered 
to  this  community  were  of  no  common  order;  that  exhausted 
his  energies  and  abilities,  which,  had  they  been  employed  in 
a wider  sphere,,  would  have  won  for  him  an  enviable  and 
extended  reputation;  and  in  the  erection  of  this  monument, 
we  have  sought  to  give  expression  to  these  sentiments,  well 
knowing  as  we  do,  ffiat  he  looked  not  to  earthly  powers  as  a 
reward  for  his  labors,  and  that,  in  the  simply  expressed  wish 
of  his  last  moments,  “to  be  buried  among  his  people,”  that  he 
might  rise  with  them,  and  appear  with  them  before  the  Searcher 
of  hearts,  he  gave  utterance  to  the  final  aspiration  of  a spirit 
conscious  of  a life  shaped  to  no  other  ends  than  to  be  greeted 
with  the  welcome  words,  “Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant.” 

Not,  therefore,  to  do  violence  to  the  native  humility  of  his 
character,  but  in  justice  to  ourselves,  to  show  that  we  were 


136 


HIST  OR  Y OF  ROCKPOR  T. 


capable  of  appreciating  his  worth,  and  in  acknowledgment  of 
our  obligations  to  him,  this  beautiful  pile  is  raised.  And  it 
is  gratifying  to  reflect,  that  the  soil  which  he  trod,  and  which 
we  now  tread,  is  capable  of  furnishing  a material  so  well  adapted 
to  emblematize  both  our  feelings  towards  him,  and  his  own 
most  striking  characteristics.  That  firmness  of  purpose,  and 
great  endurance  of  the  most  wearing  labors,  for  which  he  was 
marked,  is  shadowed  forth  by  the  impenetrability  and  durability 
of  our  native  granite,  while  the  smoothness  and  polish,  of 
which  it  is  found  susceptible,  illustrate  that  pleasing  urbanity 
which  characterized  all  his  intercourse  with  his  people.  And 
to  crown  all,  the  consummate  workmanship  here  displayed, 
while  it  challenges  criticism  to  detect  a flaw,  either  in  the 
proportion  of  the  general  outline,  or  in  the  rounding  of  the 
curves  and  squaring  of  the  angles  and  surfaces,  how  well  does 
it  harmonize  with  the  beauty  and  proportion  of  his  finished 
life. 

It  will  also  be  an  interesting  reminiscence  of  this  day,  that 
of  all  that  were  actors  in  the  scene  of  your  father’s  ordination, 
fifty-one  years  ago,  and  who  have  always  with  steadfast 
constancy  sustained  him,  and  stayed  up  his  arm,  while  he 
bore  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day,  but  five  *now  remain, 
three  of  whom  are  able  to  be  here  to  assist  in  bearing  his 
ashes  to  their  final  resting-place.  Among  them  we  recognize, 
with  heartfelt  satisfaction,  our  venerable  sexton,  who  has 
already  deposited  around  this  spot  the  mortal  remains  of  two 
generations,  and  whom  we  have  always  found  ready  to  break 
ground  with  his  spad$,  whether  through  the  thick  frosts  of 
winter  or  under  the  burning  sun  of  summer,  and  who  never 
hesitated  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  to  stand  face  to  face 
with  the  human  body  after  it  had  put  on  corruption,  or  even 

*Mr.  David  Brooks,  Capt.  Charles  Tarr,  Mr.  Asa  Knowlton,  Mr. 
John  Stockman  and  Mr.  William  Choate,  the  last  of  whom  commenced 
his  duties  as  sexton  in  the  year  1800  and  has  continued  them  with 
few  interruptions  ever  since. 

All  of  them  long  since  deceased  (1886), 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


37 


to  walk  with  the  pestilence  in  the  midnight  darkness.  Who 
more  worthy  than  he  to  superintend  these  last  offices  to  one 
whom  he  loved  so  well!  Long  may  it  be,  before  that  service 
which  he  has  done  to  others  so  oft  shall  be  rendered  to  him 
in  his  turn. 

It  is  a matter  of  special  regret  to  us,  that  your  venerated 
mother  is  too  feeble  to  be  here  to  witness  this  last  testimonial 
to  her  beloved  partner  in  life.  May  her  health  be  restored 
and  may  she  live  to  a good  old  age,  to  enjoy  the  pleasing 
recollections  due  to  a life  spent  in  promoting  the  good  of 
others. 

And  with  regard  to  yourself,  sir,  while  we  do  not  hesitate 
to  endorse  and  confirm  every  word  you  have  spoken  in  reference 
to  your  father’s  character,  accept  our  thanks  for  the  eloquent 
discourses  to  which  we  have  listened,  this  day.  It  forms  a 
renewed  sanction  of  these  proceedings,  when  we  are  able  thus 
to  recognize  again  the  goodness  of  the  stock,  in  fruit  borne  by 
the  scion.  Remain  assured,  sir,  that  the  good  wishes  of  the 
people  of  Rockport  will  follow  you  and  yours,  and  all  of  the 
descendants  of  the  Rev.  David  Jewett,  wherever  their  lot  may 
be  cast.” 

The  remains  were  now  lowered  into  the  grave  by  the  side 
of  the  monument,  and  after  a hymn  was  sung,  by  the  assembly, 
the  exercises  were  closed  by  a benediction  pronounced  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Bremner  of  the  Second  Congregational  Society. 

Yours, 

H.” 


The  monument  alluded  to  above  is  an  elegant  specimen  of 
Rockport  granite,  highly  polished,  fifteen  feet  in  height,  and 
is  a fine  specimen  of  workmanship.  On  one  side  is  the  name, 
“Rev.  David  Jewett,”  in  raised  granite  letters;  on  the  other, 
the  following  inscription,  inserted,  on  a marble  tablet: 


138 


HIS  TOR  Y OF  RO  CKPOR  T. 


“Born  in  Hollis,  N.  H.,  July  16tli.,  1773. 

Graduated  at  Dartmouth  College,  1801. 

Ordained  Pastor  of  the  Cong.  Church  in  Rockport, 

Octr.  30th.,  1805. 

Died  at  Waltham,  July  14th.,  1841. 

Distinguished  for  strict  integrity,  godly  simplicity,  unity  of  purpose, 
untiring  energy,  and  self-sacrifice  in  his  devotion  to  the  Church  of  Christ 

Living,  he  enjoyed  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  people;  dying, 
he  left  his  memory  embalmed  in  the  warmest  affections  of  their  hearts. 

This  monument  is  gratefully  erected  by  the  church  and  society  of 
which  he  was  pastor  more  than  thirty  years.” 

“Mrs.  Rebecca,  wife  of  Rev.  David  Jewett,  died  at  Waltham, 
April  1 6th.  1859,  aged  seventy-five  years.  She  was  born  in 
Marblehead,  January  21st.  1784.  She  is  buried  by  the  side 
of  her  husband. 

Inscription  upon  her  tombstone  is: — ‘Distinguished  for 
Decision,  Energy  and  Perseverance,  Warmth  of  Affection  and 
Devotion  to  her  family.’  ” 

In  full  and  certain  hope  of  a glorious  immortality.” 


Ecclesiastical  History. 

The  early  history  of  the  First  Cong’l.  Church  and  Society 
(Fifth  Parish)  is  given  to  a considerable  extent  in  the  foregoing 
Centennial  Address,  therefore  we  commence  with  the  settlement 
of  Rev.  W.  Gale,  who  succeeded  Mr.  Jewett,  thus  giving  a 
tolerably  concise  history  of  this  organization. 

The' history  of  the  other  churches,  in  order  to  be  of  proper 
intelligible  interest,  we  give  from  their  inauguration. 

Rev.  Wakefield  Gale,  the  third  pastor  of  the  First 
Congregational  Church,  was  installed  on  the  4th.  day  of  May, 
1836.  Succeeding  Rev.  David  Jewett,  who  had  been  its 
faithful  pastor  thirty-one  years,  under  his  ministry  the  church 
continued  to  prosper  and  witnessed  many  precious  revival 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


139 


scenes.  In  the  year  1837,  fifty-four  were  added  to  its 
communion;  in  1839  sixty-three,  and  in  1843,  seventy-six. 
During  his  entire  pastorate,  three  hundered  and  fifty-two  were 
added  to  its  membership,  nearly  all  of  them  on  profession  of 
faith.  After  twenty-seven  years  of  earnest  and  faithful  service 
in  this  part  of  the  Master’s  vineyard,  he,  early  in  the  year 
1863,  resigned  his  pastorate;  after  several  months’  hesitation 
on  the  part  of  the  church  it  was  accepted.  He  was  dismissed 
by  council  on  the  10th.  day  of  February,  1864. 

His  wife,  Mary  Louise,  died  at  Rockport,  April  12th.,  1861, 
aged  fifty-four  years.  An  exemplary  Christian,  beloved  and 
respected. 

After  leaving  Rockport  he  made  his  home  at  Easthampton 
in  this  state;  he  supplied  for  a considerable  time  the  church 
at  West  Granville,  Mass.  He  was  married  twice  after  leaving 
this  town.  He  died  at  Easthampton,  Oct.  2d.,  1881,  aged 
eighty-five  years,  leaving  a widow,  two  sons  and  one  daughter, 
children  by  his  first  wife. 

His  remains,  wife  Mary  Louise,  and  five  children  are  interred 
in  our  Beech  Grove  cemetery. 

Previous  to  his  settlement  here  he  was  pastor  of  a church 
at  Eastport,  Maine,  about  ten  years.  He  was  a graduate  of 
Dartmouth,  as  was  Rev.  Mr.  Jewett,  his  predecessor. 

Rev.  William  H.  Dunning,  the  fourth  pastor  of  this  church, 
was  ordained  on  the  10th.  day  of  February,  1 864.  The  sermon 
was  by  Rev.  Nehemiah  Adams,  D.  D.,  of  Boston;  ordaining 
prayer  by  Rev.  F.  F.  Tenney  of  Manchester. 

“Mr.  Dunning’s  'pastorat:e  was  an  earnest  and  successful 
one,  although  short  and  broken  on  account  of  ill  health.  After 
a term  of  three  and  a half  years — during  which  fifty  members 
were  added  to  the  church — he  was  compelled  by  the  state  of 
his  health  to  resign  his  charge,  and  was  dismissed  by  council 
on  the  6th.  day  of  September,  1867. 

He  died  on  the  9th.  day  of  February,  1869,  at  Fairbault, 
Minn.,  where  he  had  gone  in  search  of  health,” 


140 


HISTOR  V OF  R0CKP0RT. 


Rev.  James  W.  Cooper,  the  fifth  pastor  of  this  church,  was 
ordained  on  the  ioth.  day  of  September,  1868.  Services  were 
as  follows:  sermon  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Manning,  D.  D.,  of  the  Old 
South  Church,  Boston;  ordaining  prayer  by  Rev.  Wm.  M. 
Barbour  of  Peabody;  Rev.  J.  L.  Jenkins  of  Amherst  gave  the 
charge  to  the  pastor;  Rev.  J.  M.  Whiton  of  Lynn  gave  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship. 

During  his  pastorate  the  church  was  prosperous;  forty-four 
were  added  to  it  on  profession  of  their  faith,  nineteen  by  letter. 
The  membership  at  its  close  was  three  hundred  and  nine.  The 
Sabbath  School  enrolled  four  hundred  names,  with  an  average 
attendance  of  three  hundred. 

“Mr.  Cooper  resigned  his  position  on  account  of  his  own 
health  and  that  of  his  family,  and  was  dismissed  by  council 
June  6,  1871.  The  records  show  that  there  had  been  an 
unusual  degree  of  unanimity  between  pastor  and  people.” 

He  is  now,  and  has  been  for  several  years,  pastor  of  a large 
and  prosperous  church  at  New  Britain,  Conn. 

Rev.  Charles  C.  McIntire  succeeded  Mr.  Cooper  and  was 
installed  pastor  December  28th.,  1871.  Services  were  as 
follows:  Invocation,  by  Rev.  Charles  Van  Norden  of  Beverly; 
reading  of  the  Scriptures,  by  Rev.  Will  C.  Wood  of  Wenham; 
installing  prayer,  by  Rev.  George  L.  Gleason  of  Manchester; 
sermon,  by  Rev.  George  N.  Anthony  of  Peabody;  charge  to 
the  pastor  by  Rev.  C.  R.  Palmer  ol  Tabernacle  Church,  Salem; 
right  hand  of  fellowship,  by  Rev.  S.  W.  Segur  of  Gloucester; 
address  to  the  people,  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Thatcher  of  Wareham; 
concluding  prayer,  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Teele  of  Lanesville; 
benediction,  by  the  pastor. 

“During  a period  of  nearly  eight  years,  Mr.  McIntire 
endeared  himself  to  the  whole  community.  His  pulpit 
instructions  and  his  faithful  pastoral  care  during  the  most 
trying  years  in  the  history  of  the  church,  can  never  be  forgotten. 
During  his  ministry,  thirty-seven  united  with  the  church,  on 
profession  of  their  faith,  and  twenty  by  letter,  a total  of  fifty. 


HISTORY  OF ROCKPORT. 


141 


seven.  He  gave  up  his  responsibilities  as  pastor  in  July  1879, 
but  was  not  regularly  dismissed  until  Sept.  3d.,  1880.” 

The  later  years  of  Mr.  Mclntire’s  pastorate  were  somewhat 
unpleasant,  caused  by  the  heavy  debt  resting  upon  the  society 
on  account  of  extensive  improvements  that  were  being  made 
before  and  when  he  >vas  called  to  the  pastorate.  The 
meeting-house  was  cut  in  the  centre  and  twenty  feet  added  to 
its  length;  the  interior  of  the  walls  and  ceiling  were  entirely 
stripped.  Pulpit  and  pews  removed;  galleries  were  taken  out; 
the  entire  interior  was  re-built;  the  old  windows  gave  place  to 
new;  the  outside  was  repaired  and  painted;  the  vestry  was 
removed  and  enlarged — all  this  at  a cost,  including  the  purchase 
of  the  pews,  of  about  $28,000.  Then  came  a depression  of 
business  and  financial  failures.  Under  these  adverse 
circumstances,  though  the  debt  had  been  reduced  some  $9,000, 
it  became  a burden  too  heavy  for  the  society  to  bear.  The 
Savings  Bank  held  a large  mortgage  on  the  property.  They 
foreclosed  and  took  possession.  Therefore  the  meeting-house 
was  closed  to  the  society  and  they  were  without  a house  in 
which  to  worship.  In  this  extremity,  the  Young  Men’s 
Christian  Association  opened  the  doors  of  their  chapel  and 
bade  them  a hearty  welcome.  They  gladly  accepted  the 
invitation  and  occupied  the  chapel  several  months. 

During  this  occupancy,  Rev.  R.  B.  Howard  came  as  a supply. 
He  soon  became  interested  in  this  people  in  their  untoward 
circumstances,  and  proposed  that  efforts  be  put  forth  to 
repurchase  the  church  property.  The  receivers  of  the  Savings 
Bank  offered  to  quitclaim  the  church  property  to  the  parish, 
on  the  payment  of  $10,000.  Mr.  Howard  put  forth  earnest 
efforts,  which  were  heartily  seconded  by  members  of  the 
parish,  many  of  whom  contributed  liberally;  friends  of  the 
society  and  of  the  cause  out  of  town  also  made  liberal  donations. 
$10,000  was  raised  and  the  property  was  transferred  to  the 
parish.  Again  the  doors  of  the  sanctuary  opened,  and  the 
people  went  up  to  the  house  of  the  Lord,  there  to  engage  in 
acts  of  religious  worship. 


142 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKPORT. 


Mr.  Howard  received  a unanimous  call  from  this  church 
and  parish  to  become  their  pastor,  and  was  installed  by  council 
on  the  third  day  of  September,  1880.  The  order  of  exercises 
was  as  follows:  Invocation,  by  Rev.  S.  B.  Andrews  of  Lanesville; 
reading  of  the  Scriptures,  by  Rev.  John  Capen  of  Rockport; 
sermon  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Clark  of  Boston;  installing  prayer, 
by  Rev.  George  L.  Gleason;  charge  to  the  pastor,  by  Rev.  C. 
C.  Mclntire;  right  hand  of  fellowship,  by  Rev.  F.  G.  Clark  of 
Gloucester;  address  to  the  people,  by  Rev.  F.  H.  Boynton  of 
Essex;  concluding  prayer,  by  Rev.  E.  S.  Potter  of  East 
Gloucester;  benediction  by  the  pastor. 

“Mr.  Howard’s  pastorate  was  attended  with  a good  degree 
of  prosperity.  The  financial  condition  of  the  church  and 
society  was  put  on  a substantial  basis.  The  church  also  gained 
in  spirituality  and  power.  During  his  ministry,  seventeen 
members  were  added  by  letter  and  nineteen  upon  profession 
of  their  faith.  Being  called  to  the  Secretaryship  of  the  American 
Peace  Society,  he  resigned  his  pastorate  June  1st.,  1884.” 

After  some  hesitation  on  the  part  of  the  church  it  was 
accepted.  He  was  dismissed  by  council  February  13th.,  1885. 

Rev.  Albert  F.  Norcross  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of 
this  church  and  society,  in  the  autumn  of  1884.  He  took 
charge  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  January,  1885,  and  was  installed 
by  council  on  the  1 3th.  day  of  February,  the  same  year.  It 
was  the  one  hundred  and  thirtieth  anniversary  of  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  church.  He  is  the  eighth  pastor.  The  installation 
services  were  as  follows:  Invocation,  by  Rev.  Arthur  W.  Tirrell 
of  Rockport;  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  by  Rev.  Nathaniel 
Richardson,  resident;  sermon  by  Rev.  W.  J.  Tucker  of  Andover; 
installing  prayer,  by  Rev.  F.  G.  Clark  of  Gloucester;  right 
hand  of  fellowship,  by  Rev.  Nehemiah  Boynton  of  Haverhill; 
charge  to  the  pastor,  by  Rev.  R.  B.  Howard  of  Medford; 
address  to  the  people,  by  Rev.  Temple  Cutler  of  Essex; 
benediction,  by  the  pastor. 

Mr.  Norcross  commenced  his  pastorate  under  favorable 


HISTOR  V OF  ROCKPOR T. 


143 


auspices.  The  parish  free  from  debt  and  united  in  his  settlement, 
at  the  present  time,  1888,  are  enjoying  a tolerable  degree  of 
prosperity.  The  regular  services  are  quite  well  attended. 

The  Sabbath  School  is  in  a healthy  state.  Its  services  are 
fairly  attended;  it  has  a good  library.  Dea.  Calvin  W.  Pool 
is  Superintendent.  He. is  the  tenth  that  has  occupied  that 
position  during  the  seventy  years  of  its  history.  It  has  lately 
received  from  the  children  of  our  late  respected  citizen,  John 
G.  Dennis,  a donation  of  five  hundred  dollars,  they  carrying 
into  effect  the  expressed  will  of  their  father,  though  on  account 
of  his  sudden  death  he  failed  to  execute  it. 

Baptist  Church. 

The  Baptist  Church  at  Sandy  Bay,  of  a few  members,  some 
of  whom  were  residents  of  Gloucester  harbor,  was  constituted 
in  1807.  Previous  to  this,  services  of  this  denomination  were 
held  in  this  village.  Rev.  Elisha  Scott  Williams  (Baptist) 
preached  once  at  least  in  the  new  Congregational  meeting-house 
before  Rev.  David  Jewett  was  settled  here.  The  society*  was 
incorporated  in  the  year  1811,  by  the  name  of  the  First 
Baptist  Society  of  G4oucester;  they  had  no  settled  pastor  until 
1819  or  1820.  The  first  person  baptized  by  immersion,  at 
Sandy  Bay,  was  James  Woodbury,  March  10th.,  1805,  by 
Rev.  Elisha  S.  Williams  of  Beverly.  Capt.  Benjamin  Hale, 
born  in  Sandy  Bay  in  1 776,  was  the  prime  mover  of  the  Baptist 
denomination  in  this  village.  He  was  converted  on  shipboard, 
about  the  year  1 800,  while  on  a voyage  from  Bristol,  England, 
to  Madeira.  The)Z=~  encountered  a heavy  gale  of  wind;  the 
brig  was  considerably  damaged  and  was  obliged  to  put  back 
for  repairs;  a part  of  her  cargo  was  contraband;  Captain  Hale 
conscientiously  refused  to  continue  the  voyage  with  such  a 
cargo;  the  owners  put  the  mate  in  charge;  the  brig  was  partially 
repaired;  sailed  and  was  never  heard  from.  Capt.  Hale  took 
passage  for  Alexandria,  Va.  On  the  voyage  the  captain  of 
the  vessel  became  disabled  and  Capt.  Hale  brought  her  safely 
into  port.  He  was  awake  to  his  religious  principles,  and  in 


144 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


1 8 1 1 was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel.  He  was  married  in 
New  York,  in  1804,  to  Judith  White  of  Sligo,  Ireland,  with 
whom  he  became  acquainted  at  her  home.  He  was  baptized 
in  New  York.  After  a few  years  on  shore  he  again  took  to 
the  sea,  and  in  1817,  while  on  the  passage  home,  he,  in  a gale 
of  wind,  went  aloft,  the  crew  refusing  to  go.  He  received  an 
internal  injury,  which  terminated  in  consumption;  he  died  in 
1818,  aged  forty-two  years. 

Previous  to  the  building  of  their  meeting-house,  even  before 
the  society  was  incorporated,  they  held  meetings  for  worship 
in  private  houses,  often  in  the  dwelling-house  of  Eben’r.  Pool 
and  the  Stephen  Roberts  house. 

Rev.  James  A.  Boswell  was  the  first  pastor  of  this  church, 
from  1820  to  1823.  He  preached  in  an  unfinished  hall;  it  was 
the  second  story  of  the  building  next  east  of  Eureka  Hall. 
He  taught  school  during  the  week,  in  the  same  room.  The 
Sabbath  School  was  organized  in  1821.  Their  meeting-house 
was  built  in  1822;  it  was  occupied  for  preaching  service  and 
Sunday  School,  without  pews,  until  1 828,  when  it  was  furnished 
with  pews,  and  on  the  fourth  day  of  July,  the  same  year,  a 
number  of  them  were  sold.  The  cost  of  the  house,  with  the 
land  and  pews,  was  two  thousand,  two  hundred  and  eighty-four 
dollars.  March  10th.,  1840,  name  was  changed  to  the  First 
Baptist  Society  of  Rockport. 


The  parties  that  succeeded  Mr. 

Boswell  were: 

Rev.  Reuben  Curtis, 

1827 

to 

1830. 

“ Bartlett  Pease, 

1831 

6 6 

1833. 

“ Otis  Wing, 

1833 

6 t 

1836. 

“ Gibbon  Williams, 

1837 

6 6 

1838. 

“ Benjamin  Knight, 

1839 

66 

1840. 

“ Otis  Wing, 

1840 

6 6 

1842. 

“ Levi  B.  Hathaway,  May  1843,  died  Aug.  1,  1843. 

“ B.  N Harris, 

1844 

6 6 

1846. 

“ Samuel  C.  Gilbert, 

1846 

6 6 

1848. 

“ Thomas  Driver, 

1849 

6 6 

1849. 

“ George  Lyle, 

1850 

66 

1852. 

“ Thomas  Driver, 

1852 

66 

1854. 

HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


45 


Rev.  A.  E.  Battelle, 

“ J.  M.  Driver, 
Deacon  Samuel  Clieever, 
Rev.  Benj.  I.  Lane, 

“ Lewis  Holmes, 


1855  to  1856. 

1856  “ 1859. 

1860  “ 1863. 

1863  “ 1867. 

1867  “ 1869. 


Rev.  Otis  L.  Leonard  was  ordained  pastor  Sept.  23d.,  1869. 
Order  of  exercises  was  as  follows:  Invocation,  by  Rev.  W.  D. 
Bridge  of  the  M.  E.  Church;  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  by  Rev. 
J.  C.  Foster  of  Beverly;  opening  prayer,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Gannett 
of  East  Gloucester;  sermon,  by  Rev.  Justin  D.  Fulton  of  Boston; 
ordaining  prayer,  by  Rev.  S.  H.  Pratt  of  Salem;  right  hand  of 
fellowship,  by  Rev.  F.  F.  Emerson  of  Gloucester;  charge  to 
the  pastor,  by  Rev.  T.  E.  Vasser  of  Lynn;  charge  to  the  church, 
by  Rev.  Harvey  Fitz  of  Middleton;  closing  prayer,  by  Rev. 
Wm.  M.  Lyle,  a returned  missionary;  benediction,  by  the 
pastor. 

Mr.  Leonard  served  until  September  1874,  then  resigned 
and  was  dismissed. 


Rev.  A.  J.  Lyon, 

“ E.  D.  Bowers, 

“ George  A.  Cleaveland, 
“ N.  B.  Wilson, 

“ W.  B.  Smith, 


1875  to  1876. 

1878  “ 1881. 

1882  1883. 

March  1885  “ Eeb.  1886. 

Oct.  1887. 


During  the  years  1866 — 67,  this  society  purchased  an 
additional  lot  of  land  and  enlarged  and  improved  their  church 
edifice.  It  was  raised  several  feet  from  its  foundation,  and 
was  moved  from  fronting  on  High  St.  to  its  present  location. 
An  addition  of  twenty  feet  was  made  to  its  length.  The 
interior  was  completely  renovated,  and  re-furnished  with  a new 
pulpit,  furniture  and  pews.  At  a later  date,  the  walls  and 
ceiling  were  neatly  frescoed,  thus  providing  an  attractive 
audience  room.  A small  room  for  social  meeting  was 
constructed  over  the  vestibule.  A new  tower  and  steeple  were 
erected  and  at  a later  day  were  supplied  with  a bell.  The 
entire  exterior  of  the  house  was  put  in  good  condition,  by 
carpenters  and  painters.  The  entire  cost  of  these  improvements 


146 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


and  repairs  exceeded  $6,000,  which  was  met  when  the  work 
was  completed,  except  $1,300.  It  was  but  a short  time  when 
this  balance  was  paid.  The  society  continues  free  from  debt. 

The  church  edifice  was  re-dedicated,  April  10th.,  1867; 
sermon  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  Benj.  I.  Lane. 

Some  years  since,  this  society  adopted  the  free  pew  and  free- 
will offering  system  and  continue  it  until  the  present  time, 
with  good  results. 

The  Sabbath  School  is  in  good  condition,  with  a membership 
of  one  hundred  and  a library  of  three  hundred  volumes. 
Nathaniel  Richardson,  Jr.,  is  now  on  his  seventeenth  year  of 
service  as  Superintendent. 

Universalist  Society. 

The  Universalist  Society  in  Sandy  Bay  was  organized 
February  27th.,  1821,  by  the  name  of  the  Universalist 
Benevolent  Society  of  Gloucester.  Aaron  Pool,  Solomon  Pool, 
John  Manning,  Francis  Pool,  Moses  Colbey  and  Daniel  O. 
Marshall  (who  were  members  of  the  Independent  Christian  Soci- 
ety of  Gloucester  Harbor),  Wm.  Norwood,  Charles  Norwood, 
Jr.,  David  Babson,  Daniel  Wheeler,  Wm.  Norwood,  Jr.,  and 
Epes  Norwood  (who  were  members  of  the  Third  Parish, 
Annisquam  Society,)  with  others,  constituted  its  membership. 

Previous  to  this,  services  of  this  denomination  were  held  in 
this  village.  Rev.  Thomas  Jones  of  Gloucester  preached 
several  Sabbaths,  in  the  new  meeting-house  built  by  the  Fifth 
Parish,  in  1 804,  which,  by  an  understanding  with  the  Congre- 
gationalists,  they  were  to  occupy  twTo-fifths  of  the  time;  but 
after  some  months  of  this  way  of  occupying  the  house,  the 
Universalists  were  denied  the  privilege  and  were  not  allowed 
its  use.  This  act  resulted  in  a suit  at  law  which,  after  being 
before  the  Court  several  years,  was  decided  in  favor  of  the 
Congregationalists  (or  the  parish,  as  it  was  called),  they  to 
have  the  exclusive  use  and  occupancy  of  the  meeting-house. 
After  they  were  refused  admission  to  the  meeting-house,  as  a 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


147 


society,  they  worshipped  in  a schoolhouse  that  stood  on  the 
present  site  of  the  Sandy  Bay  House  stable  and  hall.  The 
clergymen  that  officiated  the  most  frequently  were  Revs.  J.  H. 
Bugbee,  J.  Gilman,  J.  P.  Atkinson,  Hosea  Ballou  and  Lafayette 
Mace. 

This  society  built  their  meeting-house  in  1 829,  at  a cost  of 
about  three  thousand  dollars.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  writh 
Masonic  ceremonies,  on  the  24th.  day  of  June,  1819.  The 
house  was  dedicated  October  8th.  of  the  same  year;  dedicatory 
sermon  by  Rev.  Thomas  Jones  of  Gloucester. 

Rev.  Lafayette  Mace  preached  a few  months  in  the  new 
house;  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Lucius  R.  Paige.  The 
succession  of  ministers  has  been  as  follows:  1832,  Rev.  R.  B. 
Mussey;  1835,  Rev.  A.  C.  L.  Arnold;  1837,  Rev.  Charles 
Spear;  1839,  Rev.  Gibson  Smith;  1841,  Rev.  John  Allen;  1844, 
Rev.  Henry  C.  Leonard;  1846,  Rev.  E.  W.  Locke;  1849,  Rev. 

S.  C.  Hewitt;  1850,  Rev.  H.  Van  Campen;  1853,  Rev.  A.  C. 
L.  Arnold;  1856,  Rev.  Wm.  Hooper;  1858,  Rev.  J.  H. 
Farnsworth;  1861,  Rev.  Stillman  Barden;  1867,  Rev.  George 
H.  Vibbert;  1872,  Rev.  Allen  P.  Folsom.  Rev.  B.  G.  Russell 
was  acting  pastor  July  1st.,  1875,  and  vras  ordained  on  the 
evening  of  August  5th.  The  association  of  Boston  Universalists 
met  here  on  that  day;  it  was  an  appropriate  time  for  an  ordination 
service.  The  services  were  as  follows:  Invocation,  by  Rev.  C. 
C.  Clark  of  Pigeon  Cove;  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  by  Rev. 

T.  W.  Illman  of  Philadelphia;  sermon,  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Atwood 
of  North  Cambridge,  from  Luke  xi:  23;  ordaining  prayer,  by 
Rev.  E.  H.  Chapin,  D.  D.,  of  New  York;  charge  to  the  pastor, 
by  Rev.  D.  Sawyer;  fellowship  of  the  churches,  by  Rev.  Richard 
Eddy,  D.  D.,  of  Gloucester;  benediction,  by  the  pastor.  He 
served  several  years  and  in  1880  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Edwin  Davis,  who  was  pastor  about  four  years.  Rev.  Miss 
Lorenza  Haynes  succeeded  Mr.  Davis  in  November,  1884, 
and  was  pastor  until  March,  1887,  since  which  time  they  have 
had  no  settled  pastor,  but  have  been  supplied  from  Sabbath  to 


148 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Sabbath,  so  that  the  ordinances  of  religion  have  been  regularly 
administered. 

This  society  was  incorporated  April  6th.,  1839,  by  the  name 
of  the  Second  Universalist  Society  of  Gloucester.  Feb.  8th., 
1845,  its  name  was  changed  by  act  of  the  General  Court,  to 
the  First  Universalist  Society  of  Rockport. 

In  the  year  1868,  their  meeting-house  was  repaired  and 
improved  by  putting  in  a new  pulpit,  pews  and  windows, 
thoroughly  changing  the  interior.  The  house  was  also  enlarged 
by  the  addition  of  pastor’s  study  and  organ  loft;  a new  tower 
and  spire  were  erected,  changing  to  a considerable  extent  the 
exterior  of  the  house.  The  cost  of  all  the  repairs  and  improve- 
ments was  more  than  $9,000.  This  caused  a large  debt,  which 
for  some  years  hung  heavily  upon  the  society.  But  it  has 
been  gradually  decreasing,  until  now  it  is  of  quite  small 
proportions  and  is  quite  easily  handled. 

They  have  now,  Oct.,  1888,  a settled  pastor,  Rev.  E.  L. 
Houghton. 

There  is  an  interesting  Sabbath  School  connected  with  the 
society,  of  which  James  W.  Bradley  was  Superintendent  about 
twenty  years.  He  resigned  that  office,  some  few  months 
since,  and  Mr.  John  Manning  now  occupies  that  position. 
The  school  is  favored  with  a good  library. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  Society  of  this  town 
had  its  origin  in  a class  formed  by  Rev.  Aaron  Lummus,  the 
pastor  of  the  M.  E.  Church  of  Gloucester  Harbor,  in  1831. 
He  found  here  Sister  Mrs.  Nicy  Cleaves  (now  Parsons)  and 
her  husband,  Capt.  Levi  Cleaves,  who  was  not  then  a professor 
of  religion,  but  he  soon  became  a subject  of  saving  grace  and 
joined  the  society  and  has  held  every  office  in  the  gift  of  the 
church,  with  honor  to  himself  and  with  an  eye  single  to  the 
glory.of  God.  He  died  in  the  triumph  of  Christian  faith,  June 
1 6th.,  1865,  aged  fifty-eight  years  and  nine  months. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


149 


The  first  class  was  composed  of  the  following  members: 
Levi  and  Nicy  Cleaves,  John  and  Ann  Cleaves,  Aaron  Cleaves, 
Solomon  and  Patty  Tarr,  Charles  Wormwood,  Zaccheus 
Roberts,  Lois  Pool,  Rhoda  Cleaves  and  Betsey  Tarr.  All  of 
them  have  passed  over  the  river,  except  Nicy  Cleaves. 

This  class  was  connected  with  the  Gloucester  Harbor 
church  until  1838,  when  it  was  set  off  as  a circuit  with  Town 
Parish  (Riverdale),  under  the  charge  of  Rev.  L.  B.  Griffin. 
This  year,  a church  edifice  was  erected  on  Jewett  St.  and  was 
dedicated  by  the  pastor,  and  the  next  year  it  was  set  apart  as 
a separate  charge,  with  Rev.  Israel  Washburn,  pastor. 

The  successive  leaders  of  the  class  were  Charles  Wormwood, 
Levi  Cleaves,  John  Cleaves,  Moses  Cleaves,  James  B.  Stillman. 

A gracious  revival  attended  the  labors  of  Mr.  Washburn 
and  he  reported  for  the  year  1839,  thirty-five  members  and 
sixteen  probationers.  He  was  succeeded  in  charge  by  Revs. 
Thomas  G.  Brown,  John  P.  Bradley  and  Daniel  Richards. 
The  latter  was  followed  by  Rev.  Charles  O.  Towne,  who 
induced  the  society  in  1 843  to  withdraw  from  the  New  England 
Conference  and  form  a Weslbyan  Society,  on  the  plea  that  the 
Methodist  was  pro-slavery  and  the  Wesleyan  more  radical 
and  influential.  Mr.  Towne  remained  pastor  until  the  summer 
of  1 844.  During  his  pastorate  the  church  edifice  was  enlarged 
and  re-dedicated;  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  W.  H. 
Brewster.  His  successors  were  Rev.  Wm.  Davenport,  one 
year;  Rev.  David  Mason,  1846 — 47;  Rev.  George  Waugh, 
1848 — 49;  Rev.  'W  C.  Clark,  1850 — 51;  Rev.  David  Mason 
returned  in  1852 — 53;  Rev.  Alonzo  Gibson,  1854 — 55,  and 
Rev.  L.  P.  Atwood  in  1856 — 57. 

In  the  summer  of  1858,  the  society  voted  to  return  to  the 
N.  E.  Conference.  They  had  learned  the  fact  that  the  ground 
of  their  separation  was  a mistake.  Rev.  Elijah  Mason  was 
appointed  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Hatch,  the  presiding  elder  of  the 
Lynn  District,  pastor  in  charge  until  the  session  of  Conference 
in  1859.  Mr.  Mason  continued  in  charge  until  1863.  He 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


150 

was  an  earnest  and  faithful  pastor  and  continued  his  residence 
in  town  until  called  to  the  rest  that  remaineth  to  the  people 
of  God.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1863,  he  was  chairman 
of  our  school  board. 

In  the  year  1858,  Levi  Cleaves  was  licensed  as  local 
preacher. 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  Joseph  Gerry,  one  year.  He 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Ames  who  was  abundant  in 
labors.  On  entering  upon  his  work,  he  decided  that  the  society 
should  have  a new  and  more  convenient  church  edifice.  A 
lot  was  soon  purchased  on  Broadway;  earnest  and  determined 
efforts  were  put  forth  by  pastor  and  people,  which  resulted  in 
the  erection  of  a church  edifice,  at  a cost  of  $16,000.  It  was 
dedicated  April  14th.,  1869;  sermon  by  the  Rev.  J.  A.  M. 
Chapman. 

The  church  and  society  now  start  out  with  fairer  prospects. 
Rev.  W.  D.  Bridge  followed  Mr.  Ames;  his  pastorate  was 
blessed  by  a revival  of  religion.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
C.  A.  Merrill,  whose  labors  were  quite  satisfactory  to  the 
church  and  people.  At  no  time  during  its  history  had  it  been 
so  strong.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Samuel  Roy,  a faithful 
preacher  and  successful  worker  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Master 
After  seven  months’  faithful  service  he  was  stricken  with 
typhoid  fever  and  soon  passed  to  his  reward. 

The  balance  ol  the  Conference  year  was  supplied  by  Rev. 
M.  B.  Cummings.  He  was  returned  the  next  year.  On  the 
second  day  of  May,  1875,  Sabbath  morning,  the  church  edifice 
was  destroyed  by  fire,  the  cause  of  which  is  unknown  and  is 
still  a mystery.  This  was  a great  loss  to  this  church  and 
society.  There  was  supposed  to  be  an  insurance  of  $10,000 
upon  the  building,  but  by  the  expiration  of  one  of  the  policies, 
or  from  some  other  cause,  only  about  one-half  of  the  sum 
($5,000)  was  realized,  and  when  the  indebtedness  of  the  burned 
building  was  cancelled,  there  were  but  $3,000  remaining  to 
the  society.  A meeting  was  soon  held,  the  question  of 


HISTOR  V OF  ROCKPORT. 


1 5 1 

re-building  a meeting-house  was  discussed  and  $1000  was  at 
once  subscribed  for  that  purpose. 

The  present  edifice  was  built  upon  the  site  of  the  house 
that  was  burned,  at  a cost  of  $9,000.  It  was  dedicated  in 
February,  1876;  Bishop  Isaac  W.  Wiley,  D.  D.,  preached  the 
sermon.  This  large  outlay  caused  a heavy  debt  to  rest  upon 
the  society,  which  in  the  year  1880  was  $3500.  Mr.  Cummings 
was  followed  by  Rev.  W.  A.  Braman,  who  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  W.  Silverthorne.  The  labors  of  these  pastors  were 
blessed  to  the  church.  Rev.  John  Capen  was  the  next  pastor. 
He  reduced  the  debt  quite  a large  amount,  soliciting  money 
from  out  of  town  churches  and  in  other  ways  working  very  hard. 
Rev.  Alfred  Noon  succeeded  him  and  served  one  year.  After 
Mr.  Noon  was  Rev.  A.  W.  Tirrell.  He  labored  earnestly  and 
faithfully,  with  good  success.  During  his  pastorate  of  three 
years,  the  church  was  painted  upon  the  outside,  and  the  society 
freed  from  debt,  which  event  was  celebrated  in  a becoming 
manner,  on  the  13th.  day  of  April,  1886,  on  which  occasion 
several  of  the  past  pastors  of  the  church  were  present.  Several 
clergymen  of  other  denominations  also  joined  in  this  interesting 
service,  a prominent  feature  of  which  was  the  burning  of  the 
mortgage  deed  and  note. 

This  church  and  society  now  have  a neat  and  commodious 
house  of  worship,  free  of  debt;  a Sabbath  School  in  a healthy 
condition.  Daniel  Coath  is  Superintendent.  It  is  furnished 
with  a good  library.  There  is  a fair  attendance  upon  the 
services  of  the  church,  preaching  and  other  meetings. 

Mr.  Tirrell’s  pastorate  expired  in  April,  1887.  Rev.  John 
H.  Mansfield  is  now  their  pastor,  faithful  in  every  good  work. 

Second  Congregational  Church  and  Society. 

A Second  Congregational  Church  of  sixteen  members,  viz: 
Dudley  Choate,  William  Foster,  Benjamin  Giles,  John  W. 
Hadlock,  John  W.  Marshall,  Ebenezer  Rowe,  Lafayette 
Marshall,  Mary  Choate,  Margaret  Foster,  Susan  B.  Giles, 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


152 

Esther  Hadlock,  Betsey  Marshall,  Laurana  G.  Rowe,  Joanna 
E.  Choate,  Lucy  J.  Haskell,  Laurana  T.  Marshall,  was  regularly 
organized  on  the  1 5th.  day  of  March,  1855.  Rev.  A.  B.  Rich 
of  Danvers  was  moderator  of  the  council;  Rev.  N.  Richardson 
of  Lanesville  was  scribe.  These  sixteen  members  were 
dismissed  from  the  First  Congregational  Church  in  Rockport, 
for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a second  church  of  the  same 
denomination.  This  action  was  deemed  necessary  as  the 
attendance  at  the  first  church  was  large  and  had  outgrown  its 
seating  capacity.  It  was  hardly  possible  at  this  time  to 
purchase  or  hire  a pew,  (the  pews  were  owned  by  individuals.) 
This  statement  may  seem  strange  at  this  day,  nevertheless  it 
was  true  for  we  know  whereof  we  speak. 

The  Rev.  David  Bremner  was  called  to  the  First  Church, 
the  year  previous,  as  associate  pastor  with  Rev.  W.  Gale, 
having  in  view  at  that  time  the  organizing  of  a second  church, 
of  which  he  would  probably  be  pastor.  Immediately  after 
the  organization,  the  church  gave  Rev.  Mr.  Bremner  a 
unanimous  call  to  become  its  pastor.  The  society  that  had 
been  duly  formed  joined  unanimously  in  the  call  and  voted 
him  a salary  of  one  thousand  dollars  per  year. 

Mr.  Bremner-accepted  the  call  and  was  ordained  and  installed 
on  the  2d.  day  of  May,  1855.  Rev.  Daniel  Fitz  of  Ipswich 
was  moderator  of  the  council,  and  Rev.  A.  H.  Quint  of  the 
Matthew  Church,  Jamaica  Plain,  was  scribe.  Eighteen 
churches  were  represented  in  the  council.  Order  of  exercises 
was  as  follows:  Introductory  prayer,  by  Rev.  A.  H.  Quint; 
reading  of  the  Scriptures,  by  Rev.  H.  J.  Patrick  of  Bedford; 
sermon,  by  Rev.  E.  A.  Park,  D.  D.,  of  Andover;  ordaining 
prayer,  by  Rev.  W.  Gale  of  Rockport;  charge  to  the  pastor, 
by  Rev.  Lyman  Whiting  of  Reading;  right  hand  of  fellowship, 
by  Rev.  J.  M.  Manning  of  Medford;  address  to  the  church 
and  society,  by  Rev.  J.  E.  Dwinell  of  Salem;  closing  prayer, 
by  Rev.  J.  O.  Murray  of  Danvers;  benediction,  by  the  pastor. 

Mr.  Bremner  resigned  his  pastorate  Oct.  13th.,  1863.  The 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


153 


church  held  several  meetings  and,  by  a committee  chosen  for 
that  purpose,  conferred  with  Mr.  Bremner,  and  finally  very 
reluctantly  accepted  his  resignation.  He  was  dismissed  by 
an  ecclesiastical  council,  Oct.  20th.,  1864.  Rev.  Wakefield 
Gale  was  moderator  and  Rev.  Wm.  M.  Barbour,  scribe.  The 
council,  after  voting  that  the  pastoral  relation  be  dissolved, 
say:  “In  coming  to  this  result,  the  council  express  their  regret 
at  losing  one  from  among  us  with  whom  we  have  had  so  much 
pleasant  intercourse,  and  who  has  been  so  faithful  and  useful 
and  so  much  beloved  in  this  community,  as  well  as  by  his 
own  church  and  society,  and  they  cheerfully  commend  him 
to  the  churches  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christmas  an  able  and 
successful  minister  of  the  Gospel — sound  in  the  faith,  of  a 
blameless  life — a diligent  student  and  an  affectionate  pastor. 
We  tender  to  him  our  undiminished  affection  and  confidence, 
and  wish  him  much  happiness  and  success  in  the  new  field  of 
labor  to  which  Providence  has  called  him.”  The  church  of 
sixteen  members  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Bremner  grew  to 
eighty. 

After  Mr.  Bremner’s  resignation  the  pulpit  was  temporarily 
supplied  until  March  31st.,  1864,  when,  by  a unanimous  vote, 
the  church  and  society  invited  Rev.  L.  H.  Angier  to  become 
their  pastor,  which  invitation  he  accepted  and  immediately 
commenced  his  labors.  His  salary  was  fixed  at  $1,000  per 
year.  He  occupied  that  position  until  October,  1867,  when 
he  resigned  his  pastorate.  He  had  not  been  installed  by 
council. 

On  account  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  and  the  decline  of 
business  consequent  thereon  and  other  untoward  circumstances, 
the  church  and  society  felt  compelled  to  call  an  ecclesiastical 
council  to  advise  with  them,  as  it  had  become  quite  difficult 
to  support  preaching  regularly.  A council  convened  on  the 
2 1 st.  day  of  October,  1868;  Rev.  J.  C.  Thatcher  of  Gloucester 
was  moderator  and  Rev.  J.  M.  Whiton  of  Lynn  was  scribe. 
After  a full  presentation  of  the  state  of  the  church  and  society, 


154 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


and  a careful  consideration  thereof  by  the  council,  they  advised 
the  Second  Church  to  dissolve  their  church  organization  and 
unite  themselves  with  the  First  Church.  The  Second  voted 
not  to  dissolve,  but  would  grant  letters  of  dismission  and 
recommendation  to  any  members  who  desired  them.  Under 
this  vote,  numbers  took  letters  to  the  First  Church,  some  to 
the  Methodist,  and  at  a later  day,  others  to  the  First  Church 
of  Christ,  at  Pigeon  Cove.  The  First  Church  had  extended 
an  invitation  to  the  members  of  the  Second  Church  to  unite 
with  them. 

The  chapel  of  the  Second  Church,  on  the  corner  of  Broadway 
and  School  Street,  was  built  by  stockholders,  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  year  1855,  at  a cost  of  about  $4,000,  including  the 
lot.  Previous  to  this,  the  Second  Church  and  Society  held 
their  service  in  the  vestry  of  the  First  Church.  After  the 
dissolution  of  the  society,  the  chapel  was  sold  to  the  Y.  M.  C. 
A.  and  by  them,  at  a later  date,  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  They  have 
raised  it  from  its  foundation  and  placed  another  story  under 
it,  which  makes  it  convenient  for  the  use  of  the  order  and 
more  attractive  to  the  public  eye.  Lately  the  premises  have 
been  enclosed  by  a neat  and  substantial  iron  fence. 

Installation  of  Walter  Harris  Giles. 

An  ecclesiastical  council  was  called  and  met  in  Broadway 
Chapel,  on  the  26th.  day  of  August,  1864,  for  the  purpose  of 
ordaining  Mr.  Walter  Harris  Giles,  a member  of  the  Second 
Congregational  Church,  as  a missionary  of  the  American 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  Rev.  A.  B.  Rich  of  Beverly  was 
moderator;  Rev.  Thomas  Morong  of  Lanesville  was  scribe. 
The  sermon  was  by  Rev.  Edward  E.  Bliss  of  Constantinople, 
Turkey;  ordaining  prayer,  by  Rev.  L.  H.  Angier  of  the  Second 
Church,  Rockport;  right  hand  of  fellowship,  by  Rev.  W.  H. 
Dunning  of  the  First  Church,  Rockport;  charge,  by  Rev.  J. 
C.  Thatcher  of  the  Evangelical  Church  of  Gloucester;  closing 


HISTOR  V OF ROCKPORT. 


155 

prayer,  by  Rev.  John  A.  Vinton  of  Boston;  benediction  by 
Rev.  Walter  Harris  Giles. 

Mr.  Giles  died  at  Constantinople,  May  21st.  1867,  in  the 
thirtieth  year  of  his  age.  He  was  in  the  service  of  A.  B.  C. 
F.  M.,  and  was  a son  of  Dea.  Thomas  and  Mary  Giles  of  this 
town. 

Catholic  Church. 

Up  to  the  year  1830,  nearly  all  of  our  population  were 
native  born.  Even  at  a later  date  there  were  but  a few 
foreigners  who  made  their  home  with  us,  but  in  1850  there 
were  quite  a number,  the  most  of  whom  were  Catholics; 
therefore  the  call  for  a service  of  that  denomination.  The 
first  mass  celebrated  in  this  town  was  in  what  is  now  Eureka 
Hall,  and  in  the  year  1850;  Rev.  Father  John  McCabe  of 
Salem  officiated. 

In  1856  the  Catholic  population  had  increased  to- such  an 
extent  that  there  seemed  to  be  a necessity  for  their  erecting  a 
house  of  worship.  Quite  a number  travelled  to  Gloucester, 
Sabbath  after  Sabbath,  in  order  to  attend  their  church  service. 
Accordingly,  through  the  efforts  and  lead  of  Rev.  Father 
Thomas  Sheahan  of  Salem,  a lot  was  purchased  on  Broadway, 
in  1856,  and  a chapel  was  erected  at  a cost  of  about  three 
thousand  dollars. 

Rev.  Luigi  Acquarone  was  the  first  regular  ministering 
priest  here;  his  parish  encircled  the  entire  Cape.  He  was  a 
gentleman  and  highly  respected.  With  the  rapid  increase  of 
the  foreign  population,  which  was  composed  largely  of 
Catholics,  the  labor  required  was  more  than  Father  Acquarone 
could  perform.  Therefore  Rev.  Thomas  Barry  was  appointed 
to  the  charge  of  the  church  here;  he  continued  in  its  service 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  after  a short  illness  in  January, 
1883.  Rev.  Daniel  S.  Healey  immediately  succeeded  Mr. 
Barry.  Soon  after  he  came  in  charge  of  the  work  here  he  set 
about  enlarging  and  improving  their  house  of  worship,  making 
it  more  convenient  and  attractive,  both  the  interior  and  exterior 


156 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


presenting  a more  favorable  appearance.  The  whole  cost  of  the 
improvement  was  thirty-six  hundred  dollars,  which  was  soon 
paid  in  full. 

The  Sabbath  School  numbers  more  than  one  hundred 
members  and  is  an  interesting  and  useful  institution.  All  of 
the  Sunday  services,  as  also  services  on  other  set  days,  are 
quite  well  attended. 

In  the  month  of  November,  1887,  Father  Healey,  to  the 
regret  of  many  even  outside  of  his  church,  was  assigned  to  a 
charge  at  East  Weymouth,  Mass.  A few  weeks  after  Father 
Healey  left  town,  Rev.  Father  Thomas  Tobin  was  appointed 
to  the  church  here  and  at  Lanesville.  He  is  quite  popular 
with  his  people.  Their  Sabbath  School  has  now  a membership 
of  about  two  hundred.  The  church  property  has  lately  been 
improved  by  the  erection  of  a neat  and  substantial  iron  fence. 

First  Church  of  Christ. 

The  First  Church  of  Christ,  at  Pigeon  Cove,  is  the  outgrowth 
of  a Sabbath  School  that  was  instituted  in  Woodbury’s  Hall 
(that  was  located  over  the  Union  Store),  May  31st.,  1857. 
There  were  about  forty  persons  present.  Lyman  B.  Stockman 
was  chosen  Superintendent;  it  was  largely  by  his  efforts,  advised 
and  encouraged  by  Miss  Ellen  H.  Gott  (Burt),  that  the  school 
was  gathered.  In  the  month  of  November,  the  same  year,  the 
school  removed  to  what  was  a district  schoolhouse  before  the 
school  system  was  re-organized;  it  was  located  near  the  now 
residence  of  Mr.  Alpheus  Goodwin.  The  school  continued  at 
this  place  until  January,  1863,  when  it  removed  to  the  Chapel 
it  now  occupies.  The  most  of  the  time  that  the  school  occupied 
the  schoolhouse,  an  evening  meeting  was  held  each  Sunday, 
different  clergymen  officiating;  in  the  absence  of  a clergyman, 
a service  was  held  and  a sermon  read  by  a layman,  or  the  hour 
was  occupied  by  a prayer  and  conference  meeting. 

While  the  schoolhouse  was  thus  occupied  by  the  Sunday 
School,  the  town  sold  it  at  auction  and  it  was  purchased  by 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


157 


Mr.  David  L.  Choate,  for  about  $300.  He  soon  sold  it  to 
Dea.  Jabez  R.  Gott,  Newell  Giles  and  Elbridge  Witham,  for 
about  the  same  amount.  They  allowed  the  school  to  occupy 
it  some  seven  years,  free  of  rent,  then  sold  it  to  them  for  $1 50. 
After  the  Chapel  was  built  the  trustees  sold  the  schoolhouse 
and  lot  to  Mr.  Beniah  Colburn,  for  $345,  which  amount  was 
appropriated  towards  the  building  of  the  Chapel,  which  was 
done  in  1868,  at  a cost  of  $3,996.92.  It  was  dedicated  in 
January,  1869;  Rev.  James  W.  Cooper,  pastor  of  the  First 
Cong’l.  Church  in  Rockport,  preached  the  sermon.  At  this 
time  there  was  a debt  of  about  $1200  resting  upon  it.  By  the 
earnest  efforts  of  the  ladies’  circle,  by  fairs  and  donations  by 
friends  of  the  institution,  the  debt  was  cancelled  in  1871. 
The  tower  was  erected,  the  bell  purchased  and  fence  built  in 
1873,  at  a cost  of  $2475.08.  This  improvement  exhausted 
all  the  funds  of  the  institution  and  incurred  a debt  of  about 
$1300.  This  was  year  by  year  gradually  reduced  until  in 
1 880  it  was  about  $600.  In  August  of  that  year  special  efforts 
were  put  forth;  friends  of  the  institution  from  abroad  also 
came  to  the  rescue.  As  the  result  of  this  special  effort  the 
whole  debt  was  cancelled  in  January,  1881,  and  none  has  since 
been  incurred.  Sunday,  August  24th.,  1873,  was  the  first 
time  that  the  people  of  Pigeon  Cove  were  called  by  the  ringing 
of  the  church  bell  in  their  village,  to  the  worship  of  God  in 
His  courts. 

March  20th.,  1874,  a church  of  nineteen  members  was 
organized  by  the  name  of  the  “First  Church  of  Christ  at 
Pigeon  Cove.”  Rev.  Daniel  P.  Noyes  was  acting  pastor. 

September  22d.,  1874,  this  church  was  recognized  by  a 
council  of  churches,  duly  called,  as  a church  of  Christ  in  good 
and  regular  standing  and  fellowship  with  other  Congregational 
Churches.  Rev.  E.  S.  Atwood,  D.  D.,  of  the  Crombie  Street 
Church,  Salem,  was  moderator  of  the  council  and  Rev.  C.  C. 
Mclntire  of  the  First  Church  of  Rockport  was  scribe.  Rev. 
Chandler  Robbins,  D.  D.,  of  Boston,  preached  the  sermon. 


153 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


This  year  there  was  an  ecclesiastical  society  organized  and 
incorporated  in  connection  with  the  church,  to  manage  its 
financial  affairs.  The  land  was  purchased  and  the  Chapel  was 
built  in  the  name  of  the  Sabbath  School,  the  business  being 
managed  by  three  trustees,  John  W.  Marshall,  Thomas  Hale 
and  Abraham  Lurvey,  chosen  by  the  school.  The  trustees 
in  1883,  by  vote  of  the  Sabbath  School,  deeded  the  chapel, 
land  and  furniture  to  the  church  and  society,  for  the  nominal 
sum  of  one  dollar. 

A few  weeks  after  the  organization  of  this  school,  Mr. 
Stockman  received  an  invitation  to  teach  a school  in  Illinois. 
He  left  the  school  in  charge  of  John  W.  Marshall,  who  continued 
to  be  its  Superintendent  twenty-four  years.  Since  his  retire- 
ment, Andrew  F.  Clark,  William  W.  Marshall  and  Samuel 
L.  Lamson  have  occupied  that  position. 

Mr.  Stockman  returned  home  in  the  summer  of  1858,  in 
poor  health.  He  died  at  the  home  of  his  sister,  Mrs.  Albert 
Wheeler,  November  27th.  of  the  same  year,  respected  and 
beloved. 

This  church  and  society  have  never  been  favored  with  a 
settled  pastor,  but  the  ordinances  of  religion  have  been  quite 
regularly  administered.  Rev.  Daniel  P.  Noyes  was  its  stated 
supply  about  three  years;  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg  about  the  same 
length  of  time;  Rev.  R.  B.  Howard  about  two  years;  Rev.  S. 
B.  Andrews  about  three  years.  The  other  years  the  pulpit 
has  been  occupied  by  different  clergymen,  Sabbath  by  Sabbath. 
The  present  supply,  Rev.  W.  W.  Parker,  is  now  on  the  second 
year  of  his  pastorate.  The  services  are  generally  well  attended. 
The  Sabbath  School,  Rev.  W.  W.  Parker  Superintendent,  is  in 
a healthy  condition  and  is  provided  with  a good  library. 

In  addition  to  the  regular  service  there  is  also  a Swedish 
service  held  each  Sabbath  P,  M.,  conducted  by  a minister  of 
that  order. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


159 


Second  Universalist  Society. 

The  Second  Universalist  Society  of  Rockport  (Pigeon  Cove) 
is  the  outgrowth  of  a Sunday  School  that  was  organized  in 
the  Pigeon  Cove  Engine  House  Hall,  in  the  month  of  August, 
1861.  There  were  twenty  persons  present.  They  chose  Mr. 
Austin  W.  Story  Superintendent.  He  has  been  re-elected  to 
that  position  each  year  until  the  present  time  (1888).  The 
number  now  connected  with  the  school  is  seventy-five;  they 
have  a library  of  about  six  hundred  volumes.  After  occupying 
the  Engine  House  Hall  for  a time,  they  removed  to  a building 
that  was  Edmunds’  bowling  alley,  then  to  Edmunds’  Hall 
where  to  some  extent  they  maintained  preaching  service  in 
connection  with  the  Sunday  School.  March  31st.,  1869,  a 
religious  society  was  organized,  by  the  name  of  the  “Pigeon 
Cove  Universalist  Association.”  February  28th.,  1878,  an  act 
of  incorporation  was  obtained  and  the  name  of  the  society  was 
changed  to  the  “Second  Universalist  Society  of  Rockport.” 

In  the  year  1873  this  society  built  a neat  and  commodious 
meeting-house  at  a cost  of  $10,542.43.  It  was  dedicated  by 
appropriate  services  to  the  worship  of  God,  on  the  12th.  day 
of  June,  1873.  Rev.  Richard  Eddy,  D.  D.,  of  Gloucester, 
preached  the  sermon.  This  society  has  had  no  pastor  installed. 
The  following  are  the  names  of  the  clergymen  that  have 
officiated  from  time  to  time:  Rev.  A.  A.  Folsom  was  the  first 
to  supply  the  pulpit;  next  was  Rev.  C.  C.  Clark,  from  1 874 
to  1875;  Rev.  Robert  C.  Lansing,  from  1876  to  1878;  Rev. 
George  H.  Vibbert^from  June,  1878,  to  July,  1879;  Rev.  B. 
G.  Russell,  from  July,  1879,  to  May  30th.,  1880;  Rev.  Edwin 
Davis,  from  July,  1880,  to  April  22d.,  1884;  Rev.  Miss  Lorenza 
Haynes,  from  Sept.  28th.,  1884,  to  March  22d.,  1885.  Since 
the  last  date  the  pulpit  has  been  supplied  the  most  of  the 
Sabbaths  by  transient  clergymen. 

Rev.  E.  H.  Chapin,  D.  D.,  of  New  York,  who  for  many 
years  made  his  summer  home  at  Pigeon  Cove,  supplied  the 


i6o 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKPORT. 


pulpit  of  this  church  gratuitously  one  Sabbath  each  year,  so 
long  as  his  health  allowed. 

The  funeral  services  of  several  of  the  most  prominent  citizens 
of  this  village  have  been  held  in  this  house,  thus  increasing 
its  usefulness  as  a house  of  worship. 

Their  present  pastor  is  Rev.  E.  L.  Houghton. 

Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

The  first  effort  to  establish  Protestant  Episcopal  service  in 
this  town  was  in  the  year  1872.  During  several  months  of 
that  year,  services  were  held  by  this  denomination,  in  the 
chapel  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  on  Broadway. 
These  services  were  conducted  by  Rev.  D.  Reid,  rector  of  St. 
John’s  Episcopal  Church  of  Gloucester,  but  on  the  approach 
of  winter  they  were  discontinued. 

In  the  month  of  July,  1878,  services  were  again  commenced 
(this  time  in  Eureka  Hall)  and  continued  to  be  held  until  late 
in  October  of  that  year.  Rev.  Wm.  R.  Hooper  who  was 
rector  of  St.  John’s  Church,  Gloucester,  officiated.  On  the 
afternoon  of  July  15th.,  the  Rt.  Rev.  Benj.  H.  Paddock,  Bishop 
of  Massachusetts,  preached  the  sermon. 

From  the  closing  of  these  services,  in  October,  1878,  until 
1885,  there  were  only  occasional  services  of  this  order  in 
town,  except  a lay  service  was  held  during  the  summer  months 
of  each  year,  commencing  in  1879,  at  the  cottage  of  Mr.  Eben 
C.  Millett  on  Phillips  Avenue,  Pigeon  Cove. 

In  the  month  of  November,  1885,  Rev.  John  S.  Beers 
officiated  at  a service  of  this  denomination,  in  Haskins’  Hall. 
The  next  Sunday  service  was  held  in  Rechabite  Temple  of 
Honor  Hall,  which  was  presided  over  by  Emil  Charles 
Pfeiffer.  Services  were  continued  in  this  hall  each  Sunday 
until  the  7th.  day  of  May,  1886,  when  a regular  organization 
was  effected,  by  the  name  of  St.  Mary’s  Mission.  It  consisted 
of  nineteen  members,  viz: 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


61 


Otis  E.  Smith,  Reginald  R.  Colley,  Frank  H.  Perkins, 
Frank  Wilson,  T.  T.  H.  Harwood,  Luther  C.  Tibbetts,  Charles 
C.  Tresnon,  James  Moore,  Jr.,  Dr.  O.  St.  Clair  O’Brien,  Charles 
F.  Mills,  John  Moore,  Fannie  M.  Sanborn,  Delia  F.  Smith, 
Rosa  Ann  Moore,  Abbie  Tibbetts,  Mary  L.  Tibbetts,  Eliza  T. 
Lane,  Fannie  C.  Tupper,  Cora  A.  Pickering. 

Mr.  Otis  E.  Smith  was  elected  warden,  and  Mr.  R.  R. 
Colley  was  chosen  Superintendent,  of  the  Sunday  School 
which  is  connected  with  the  mission. 

At  the  present  time  the  society  holds  its  services  in  one  of 
the  lower  rooms  of  the  Town  Hall,  which  has  been  fitted  up 
as  a chapel. 

Rev.  C.  A.  Hayden  is  now  in  charge  of  this  mission. 

Woman's  Work. 

It  would  hardly  be  courteous  to  close  the  history  of  these 
several  churches  and  religious  societies  without  referring  to 
the  great  and  good  service  the  women  have  rendered  in 
sustaining  the  means  of  grace  and  in  aiding  these  institutions  of 
religion  which  are  seeking  the  highest  good  and  welfare  of  the 
community.  Connected  with  each  of  these  churches  and 
religious  societies  is  a noble  band  or  circle  of  women  who  are 
ever  ready  for  every  good  work.  They  have  done  much 
towards  aiding  these  churches  and  societies  in  sustaining  the 
ordinances  of  religion,  and  it  is,  at  least  to  a considerable 
extent,  by  the  blessing  of  the  Master  upon  the  service  thus 
rendered  that  the  state  of  religion  and  morality  is  in  so  good 
condition  in  this  community  to-day. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORI . 


162 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Anthracite  Coal. 

Anthracite  coal  was  first  brought  to  Sandy  Bay  in  the 
Sch’r.  Franklin,  Capt.  Abraham  T.  Doyle,  in  1832,  only  a 
few  lime-casks  full,  from  Boston. 

The  next  was  about  forty  tons  by  the  schooner  Stephen 
C.  Phillips,  Capt.  John  J.  Giles,  from  Philadelphia,  in  1841. 
Nearly  a year  expired  before  it  was  all  sold.  The  price 
was  eight  dollars  per  ton.  In  1850  it  began  to  come  into 
more  general  use,  but  it  was  some  years  before  it  became  the 
general  fuel  supply. 

Now,  1888,  more  than  six  thousand  tons  are  called  for  to 
meet  the  demand. 

In  the  year  1850  there  were  1600  cords  of  wood  landed  in 
town  by  coasters  from  Maine  and  Nova  Scotia.  From  this 
time  the  quantity  of  wood  landed  decreased  year  by  year,  as 
coal  was  fast  taking  its  place. 

Telegraphic  Communication 

Was  first  established  here  in  1850.  Mr.  Henry  Clark  was 
appointed  operator,  and  continued  to  occupy  that  position  for 
twenty  years,  when  he  resigned  and  Mr.  G.  Tucker  Margeson 
was  appointed  to  that  position  and  still  continues  to  operate 
the  ’wires.  The  first  message  was  transmitted  Jan.  2 2d.  to 
Winthrop  Thurston,  who  was  a townsman  and  at  the  time 
named  was  at  Montreal.  The  same  day  a message  was  sent 
to  Haskins'  Express,  Boston. 

Addison  Gott  Esq.,  with  others,  was  greatly  interested  in 
establishing  this  communication. 

Ice  Business. 

The  ice  business  in  this  town  was  first  engaged  in  by  James 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


163 

Manning,  Esq.  He  built  a house  for  its  storage,  in  1852,  and 
on  the  23d.  and  24th.  days  of  February  of  the  next  year  he 
stored  about  four  hundred  tons,  which  proved  to  be  an  ample 
supply  for  that  year.  He  continued  to  conduct  the  business 
several  years,  then  sold  the  pond,  ice-house  and  adjoining 
property  to  Mr.  Caleb  Jerome  Norwood,  a former  townsman, 
who  has  since  built  two  other  houses  and  continues  to  success- 
fully conduct  the  business  through  his  agent,  Mr.  Reuben 
Norwood. 

Some  years  after  Manning  commenced  the  business,  Mr. 
John  B.  Hodgkins  excavated  a piece  of  meadow  which  was 
formerly  the  property  of  Dea.  Abraham  Pool,  and  constructed 
an  artificial  pond,  erected  a storehouse  and  engaged  in  the  ice 
business.  After  conducting  the  business  a few  years,  he  sold 
the  entire  premises  to  Mr.  Anson  Stimson.  His  son,  Fred 
A.,  enlarged  the  pond,  built  another  storehouse  and  is 
successfully  conducting  the  business. 

There  are  now  annually  stored  and  sold  from  twenty-five 
hundred  to  three  thousand  tons  of  ice. 

Almshouse. 

From  the  incorporation  of  the  town  until  1852,  its  paupers 
were  boarded,  some  of  them  at  the  Gloucester  almshouse, 
others  in  private  families.  In  the  year  1852  the  town  purchased 
of  \Ym.  Young  about  four  acres  of  land  on  South  Street,  the 
present  site  of  the  almshouse,  and  erected  the  buildings  at  a 
cost  of  $5 1 27,  which  sum  includes  the  furniture  and  land. 

The  premises  were  completed  during  the  year  and  were 
occupied  the  latter  part  thereof.  Mr.  Sylvester  Pierce  was 
appointed  superintendent,  at  a salary  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars,  the  town  furnishing  his  family  with  rent,  fuel  and  food. 
He  resigned  in  1855.  Mr.  Nehemiah  KnowJton  succeeded 
him,  at  a salary  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars.  He 
served  until  1861,  w hen  Mr.Wm.  Knights  w as  appointed,  at  a 
salary  of  two  hundred  dollars;  in  1 864  fifty’  dollars  was  added; 


164 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT 


in  1867  it  was  made  three  hundred  dollars;  in  1869  twenty- 
five  dollars  was  added;  in  1873  it  was  increased  to  three 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  In  1874,  April  6th.,  he  resigned 
•ind  Mr.  Caleb  B.  Bray  was  appointed  at  a salary  of  three 
hundred  dollars.-  A state  agent  who  visited  our  almshouse  in 
1879  gave  a very  commendatory  report  as  to  its  good 
management,  the  cleanliness  of  the  premises  and  the  good 
appearance  of  the  inmates.  Mr.  Bray  served  until  April  6th., 
1881,  when  Mr.  Samuel  W.  Burt  was  appointed  at  a salary  of 
three  hundred  dollars;  in  1 883  it  was  raised  to  three  hundred 
and  seventy-five,  and  in  1884  it  was  made  four  hundred.  He 
resigned  January  26th.,  1885.  Mr.  Abraham  Lurvey  was 
then  appointed  at  a salary  of  four  hundred  dollars,  and  is  the 
present  incumbent. 

The  number  of  inmates  in  1888  is  eleven;  average  age, 
seventy  years.  We  feel  assured  that  the  inmates  of  this 
institution  have  been  well  cared  for. 


In  the  year  1853,  from  Feb.  26th.  to  April  7th.,  three  of 
our  citizens  whose  homes  were  within  a few  rods  of  one 
another,  died  abroad  and  were  brought  here  for  interment. 

James,  son  of  John  and  Sally  Stockman,  whose  home  was 
the  house  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mr.  Edwin  Paul,  on 
Broadway  Avenue,  who  was  engaged  in  teaching  school  at 
Provincetown,  Cape  Cod,  died  there  from  fever,  on  the  26th. 
day  of  February.  His  pupils  have  erected  a marble  monument 
to  his  memory,  in  the  old  cemetery.  He  was  an  exemplary 
young  man,  twenty-four  years  of  age. 

Nehemiah,  son  of  Eleazar  and  Sally  Boynton,  aged  sixteen 
years,  while  attending  school  at  Phillips  Academy,  Andover, 
died  there,  March  29th.  He  was  a promising  young  man. 
His  home  was  the  house  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Elbridge 
Witham,  on  High  Street. 

Thomas  O.  Marshall,  aged  fifty-seven  years,  was  in  Boston 
on  the  morning  of  our  annual  state  fast,  April  7th.  While 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


165 


walking  between  decks  of  the  ship  White  Swallow,  in  company 
with  his  friend  the  mate,  R.  F.  Dodge,  he  made  a misstep 
and  fell  down  the  hatchway,  a distance  of  twelve  feet,  and 
striking  his  head  was  instantly  killed.  He  was  a prominent 
citizen,  had  represented  the  town  in  the  Legislature,  served  on 
the  board  of  selectmen,  assessors  and  overseers  of  the  poor; 
also  several  years  was'  collector  of  taxes,  and  had  served  the 
U.  S.  as  inspector  of  customs.  He  was  a generous-hearted 
citizen.  His  house  was  that  now  owned  and  occupied  by 
Francis  Noble  2d.,  on  High  Street. 


The  first  fire  department  in  Sandy  Bay  was  organized  in 
January,  1807.  It  consisted  of  twenty  members,  viz: 


During  its  history  forty-seven  names  were  added,  and  in 
1 845  there  were  twenty-two  members,  as  follows: 


Fire  Department. 


Nathaniel  Tarr, 
Eben’r.  Pool,  Jr., 
David  Kimball, 
Benjamin  Tarr,  3d., 
Solomon  Choate, 
Nehemiah  Knowlton, 
John  Burns, 

Francis  Norwood, 
Aaron  Pool, 

Solomon  Pool, 


Caleb  Norwood  Jr., 
Eben’r.  Lowe, 
Simeon  Richardson 
Josiah  Haskell,  Jr., 
Reuben  Brooks, 
John  Haskins, 
David  Brooks, 
Jabez  Tarr, 

William  Choate, 
Andrew  Tarr. 


Abraham  H.  Pool, 
Thomas  Giles^ 

William  P.  Burns, 
Dudley  Choate, 

Jabez  Rowe, 

John  O.  Drown, 

George  Lane, 

Newell  Burnham, 
Addison  Gott, 

Eleazar  Boynton, 
Nehemiah  Knowlton,  Jr., 


William  Whipple, 
Addison  Choate, 
George  D.  Hale, 
Jabez  R.  Gott, 


Wm.  B.  Haskins, 
Reuben  Brooks, 
Henry  Dennis, 


William  Lane, 


Josiah  Haskell, 
Charles  Tarr,  Jr., 
Caleb  Norwood. 


66 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


One  of  the  rules  that  this  company  adopted  was,  That  each 
member  should  provide  and  always  keep  ready  for  use  two 
good  leather  buckets  and  two  strong  bags,  capacity  three 
bushels  each,  all  to  be  marked  with  the  first  letter  of  the 
owner’s  Christian  name  and  his  surname  in  full;  there  shall  be 
strings  at  the  mouth  of  the  bags  in  order  to  draw  them  close. 
They  must  be  kept  hanging  in  a conspicuous  place,  both 
bags  and  buckets.  Any  member  failing  in  either  of  the  above 
respects  must  pay  to  the  clerk  a fine  of  twenty -five  cents  for 
the  use  of  the  society.  An  annual  meeting  for  the  choice  of 
officers  and  the  transaction  of  business  was  to  be  held.  Their 
by-laws  provided  that  any  person  of  good  moral  character 
may  be  admitted  a member  of  the  society  by  making  application 
to  the  clerk  and  receiving  a majority  of  the  votes.  Another 
provision  was,  “Whoever  shall  be  missing  at  the  time  of  fire, 
or  shall  neglect  to  give  his  attendance  unto  him  that  is  in  the 
most  danger,  (except  he  give  a sufficient  reason)  shall  pay  to 
the  clerk,  for  the  use  of  the  society,  a fine  of  one  dollar  and 
fifty  cents.  For  all  the  years  of  the  history  of  this  society  its 
annual  meeting  was  held,  and  the  most  of  the  years  they  ate 
their  annual  supper,  which  was  an  occasion  of  great  sociability. 
A committee  also  made  an  annual  examination  of  the  buckets 
and  bags,  which  were  usually  placed  in  the  buckets,  and  were 
hung  as  required  in  a conspicuous  place,  which  was  usually 
in  the  front  entry  of  the  dwelling-house  of  the  members.  This 
society  accomplished  its  work,  when  it  was  superseded 
with  more  modern  appliances,  and  ceased  to  exist  some  thirty- 
five  years  since. 

The  first  fire-engine,  “Enterprise,”  (tub)  was  purchased  by 
citizens  of  Sandy  Bay,  by  subscription,  in  1827.  It  was  built 
by  Eben  Tappan  of  Manchester  and  cost  three  hundred  and 
fifteen  dollars.  It  required  a crew  of  thirty  men.  It  did  good 
service  at  the  great  fire  at  Gloucester  Harbor  in  the  fall  of 
1830. 

The  next  fire-engine  was  the  “Independence.”  It  was 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


1 67 


purchased  by  the  town  of  Gloucester  and  was  located  at  Sandy 
Bay,  opposite  the  old  cemetery.  It  was  of  the  same  style  and 
pattern  as  the  first,  was  built  by  the  same  person  and  required 
a force  of  thirty  men. 

The  third  engine,  “Votary,”  suction,  was  purchased  by  the 
town  of  Rockport  in  1 848,  for  one  thousand  dollars.  It  was 
built  by  Hunneman.  It  was  a good  machine  and  did  good 
service  in  its  day.  Its  membership  was  forty-five  men.  It 
was  sold  in  1 885  for  sixty-six  dollars;  the  town  having  purchased 
a steamer  had  no  further  use  for  its  faithful  servant. 

The  fourth  engine  was  the  “Pigeon  Cove,”  purchased  of 
Wm.  Jeffers  of  Providence,  at  a cost  of  $1171,  in  i860. 

The  fifth  engine,  “Silver  Grey,”  was  purchased  of  the  city 
of  Lynn,  in  1866,  at  a cost  of  $898.72.  It  required  a crew  of 
fifty  men. 

In  the  year  1876,  the  town  purchased  of  Edward  B.  Leverick 
a hose-carriage,  “C.  H.  Parsons,”  and  a hook  and  ladder 
truck,  “G.  P.  Whitman,”  the  whole  cost  of  which  was  $1498.14. 
The  company  of  the  two  machines  comprised  twenty-six  men. 

In  1885,  the  town  purchased  the  steamer  “Sandy  Bay,”  a 
third  size  Silsby,  which  cost,  including  the  supply  wagon, 
$3960.61.  By  this  purchase  the  annual  expense  of  the 
department  was  decreased. 

The  present  year,  the  steamer  “Speedwell”  was  purchased 
to  take  the  place  of  “Pigeon  Cove,”  suction.  It  cost  four 
thousand  dollars.  The  Pigeon  Cove  suction  was  sold  at 
auction  for  sixty-one  dollars. 

The  department  now  consists  of  steamer  “Sandy  Bay,” 
requiring  the  service  of  fifteen  men,  at  a cost  of  three  hundred 
and  ninety-four  dollars;  steamer  “Speedwell,”  fifteen  men, 
three  hundred  and  ninety-four  dollars;  hook  and  ladder  truck 
“G.  P.  Whitman,”  twenty  men,  two  hundred  and  sixty  dollars; 
“Silver  Grey,”  in  charge  of  one  man,  twenty  dollars;  four 
engineers,  seventy  dollars.  It  is  claimed  that  Rockport  has 
now  a very  efficient  department. 


68 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Baptist  Square. 

Previous  to  the  year  1856,  what  is  now  Baptist  Square  was 
a piece  of  land  in  a rough  state  and  was  occupied  by  coal 
bins,  carts  and  other  vehicles  and  to  some  extent  by  refuse 
and  waste  matter.  It  had  a very  uninviting  appearance.  At 
an  earlier  day  even  than  when  it  was  thus  occupied,  say  at 
the  time  that  there  was  a large  fleet  of  fishing-boats  from  eight 
to  twelve  tons  owned  at  Sandy  Bay  and  had  their  moorings 
at  Long  Cove,  it  was  the  custom  in  the  winter  season  to  haul 
them  up,  by  the  use  of  skids  and  cattle,  on  to  this  vacant  land; 
also  they  were  hauled  up  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  highway, 
the  whole  distance  between  the  old  slaughter-house  that  stood 
where  Kidder’s  store  now  is,  to  the  Oakes’  house,  two  boats 
deep. 

There  were  several  vessels  built  upon  this  Square  during 
these  years. 

At  the  annual  March  meeting  in  the  year  1856,  the  town 
appropriated  three  hundred  dollars  to  be  expended  under  the 
direction  of  the  selectmen,  in  grading,  fencing  and  improving 
this  ground.  The  work  was  soon  after  commenced  and 
$ 1 80. 36  was  expended  that  year.  The  next  year,  twenty-eight 
dollars  was  expended  for  trees,  loam  and  labor  and  the  work 
was  completed,  the  whole  cost  of  which  was  $208.36. 

Dock  Square. 

At  the  annual  March  meeting  in  the  year  1882,  the  town 
appropriated  the  sum  of  two  hundred  dollars  to  be  expended 
under  the  direction  of  the  selectmen  in  grading  and  improving 
Dock  Square.  Soon  after  town  meeting  the  work  was  entered 
upon  and  within  a few  months  was  completed,  the  whole  cost 
of  which  was  $450.55. 

There  was  an  elm  tree  set  upon  this  square  in  the  year  1857, 
but  it  failed  to  live. 

The  graceful  and  well  formed  elm  that  now  adorns  this 
square  was  placed  there  on  the  second  day  of  May,  1859.  It 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


169 


was  purchased  of  Eben’r.  Pool,  Esq.,  at  a cost  of  $2.50,  and 
was  taken  from  his  homestead  lot.  It  was  about  five  inches 
in  diameter;  it  was  originally  a seedling  that  grew  in  Pool’s 
pasture,  from  there  transplanted  to  Mr.  Pool’s  yard.  John 
Manning,  Moses  Haskins  and  William  Marchant  were  the 
selectmen.  Nehemiah  Knowlton,  keeper  of  the  almshouse, 
superintended  the  transplanting  of  the  tree.  On  the  first  day 
of  June,  1888,  its  circumference  two  feet  from  the  ground  was 
six  feet  and  seven  inches. 

The  well  on  this  square  was  sunk  in  the  year  1 794.  The 
money  to  pay  the  expense  of  well  and  the  pump  was  raised 
by  subscription.  Eben’r.  Cleaveland,  Jr.,  a son  of  the  Reverend, 
and  Eben’r.  Pool,  born  in  1764,  were  leaders  in  this  enterprise. 
A pump  made  of  white  oak  was  the  first  to  occupy  this  well. 

Great  Gale. 

A heavy  N.  E.  gale  commenced  on  the  16th.  day  of  April, 
1851,  and  continued  nearly  three  days,  which  caused  an 
exceedingly  high  tide  by  which  the  old  wharf,  the  breakwater 
at  the  entrance  of  Long  Cove,  the  Pigeon  Cove  harbor  break- 
water and  that  of  Eames,  Stimson  & Co.  (now  Rockport 
Granite  Co.)  were  damaged  to  a considerable  extent.  Some 
of  the  fish-flakes  on  Bearskin  Neck  were  wrecked,  also  the 
barn  owned  by  James  Parsons  (his  house  was  founded  upon  a 
rock,  Groat  Knoll).  A house  near  where  the  engine  house  of 
Sandy  Bay  steamer  now  is,  was  saved  from  being  wrecked  by 
securing  it  with  cables.  There  was  more  than  afoot  of  water 
on  the  floor  of  the  E.  Morse  house.  The  spray  was  carried 
by  the  wind  over  the  ridge  of  the  barns  of  James  Manning 
and  J.  E.  Stickney.  It  was  thought  for  a time  that  they 
would  be  removed  from  their  foundations.  The  road  in  front 
of  the  old  cemetery  was  strewed  with  debris  from  the  flake 
yards  and  Parsons’  barn. 

It  was  said  that  the  tide  at  Charlestowm  Navy  Yard  had  not 
been  so  high  for  sixty  years. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


170 

It  was  during  this  storm,  that  is  on  the  17th.  inst.,  that 
Minot’s  Ledge  light-house  was  completely  wrecked.  It  was 
thought  when  built  to  be  as  secure  as  modern  science  could 
make  it.  The  first  stone  of  the  present  structure  was  put  in 
place  July  9th.,  1857,  and  the  building  was  completed  in  i860, 
at  a cost  of  $300,000. 

January , 18 57.  Very  Cold.  Great  Snow  Storm. 

From  Saturday  night,  January  1 7th.,  until  the  next  Thursday, 
the  2 2d.  inst.,  there  was  no  nfrail-stage  arrived  at  Rockport, 
on  account  of  the  roads  being  blocked  with  snow.  Messrs. 
Levi  and  Edward  H.  Shaw,  who  were  stage-drivers,  carried 
the  mail  to  and  from  Gloucester  several  of  these  days,  on 
foot.  The  weather  was  very  cold  with  a high  N.  W.  wind 
accompanied  by  snow. 

The  brig  Waverley,  loaded  with  coffee,  came  to  anchor 
between  the  islands,  on  the  23d.  inst.  She  parted  one  cable 
and  dragged  the  other  anchor,  then  went  ashore  on  Milk 
Island.  A crew  from  the  town  soon  manned  the  life-boat 
and  went  to  her  assistance.  They  found  the  crew  badly 
frosted,  and  did  what  they  could  to  make  them  comfortable. 
The  crew  of  the  life-boat  were  also  somewhat  frosted.  The 
most  of  the  cargo  was  saved  in  a damaged  condition.  After 
a few  days  the  brig  was  floated  and  taken  to  Boston  for  repairs. 
A few  years  later  she  was  totally  wrecked  in  the  Bay  of  Fundy. 

On  the  23d.,  the  day  the  brig  went  ashore  on  Milk  Island, 
the  thermometer  indicated  at  half  past  seven  o’clock  A.  M. 
eighteen  degrees  below  zero;  at  one  o’clock  P.  M.,  four  degrees 
below. 

On  Saturday  morning,  the  24th.  inst.,  the  road  surveyor 
put  forth  earnest  efforts  to  break  out  the  roads  and  make 
them  passable  for  travel.  The  chairman  of  the  board  of 
selectmen  in  charge  of  one  gang  of  men  went  up  to  the 
Gloucester  line,  engaging  on  their  way  Mr.  Schenck  (the 
owner  of  Beaver  Dam),  his  team  and  men.  The  whole  forenoon 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


1 7 


was  consumed  in  breaking  the  road  from  the  Gloucester  line 
to  Beaver  Dam  farmhouse,  where  the  company  dined,  then 
proceeded  towards  the  town  and  about  dark  completed  the 
work  as  far  as  Butman’s  corner.  The  other  roads  were  during 
the  day  made  quite  passable  for  team  or  on  foot. 

Beech  Grove  Cemetery. 

The  old  cemetery  that  was  donated  by  Richard  Tarr,  that 
is  a small  plot  of  ground  for  burial  purposes,  early  in  the 
history  of  the  village,  had  been  enlarged  several  times  by 
purchase  of  land  by  private  subscription,  and  now  had  become 
so  fully  occupied  that  there  was  a necessity  for  more  ground 
for  cemetery  purposes;  and  this  notwithstanding  private  parties 
had  purchased  a tract  of  land  (Union  cemetery)  and  laid  it 
out  in  lots  and  sold  to  individuals.  Therefore  after  a committee 
chosen  by  the  town  for  that  purpose  had  quite  thoroughly 
looked  over  the  town  in  order  to  find  a suitable  spot  for  burial 
purposes,  they  decided  and  purchased  of  Levi  Sewall  and  wife, 
in  1855,  for  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars — and  in  1856, 
of  the  heirs  of  Abraham  Pool,  for  four  hundred  dollars — what 
is  now  Beech  Grove  cemetery  and  the  gravel  pit.  Thus  the 
whole  cost  of  the  land  was  five  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars. 

There  were  expended  in  improvements  in  1856,  $529.82. 
The  next  year,  Pleasant  Street  was  extended  to  the  cemetery 
at  a cost  of  $689,  which  sum  included  the  amount  paid  for 
land  damage.  The  whole  amount  expended  on  this  cemetery, 
including  the  purchase  of  the  land,  building  of  the  road,  land 
damage,  building  the  two  tombs,  and  other  improvements,  as 
appears  by  the  auditors’  reports  for  the  several  years  up  to 
March,  1888,  is  $12,248.94.  The  town  has  received  from  the 
sale  and  care  of  lots,  up  to  the  same  date,  $5,642.38. 

This  cemetery  was  consecrated  on  Friday  forenoon,  Nov. 
28th.,  1856,  by  services  suitable  to  the  occasion:  first,  by  the 
singing  of  a hymn,  by  a choir;  Rev.  Wakefield  Gale  (Congre- 
gationalist)  gave  a short  history  of  the  old  burial  ground — its 


172 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


beginning  was  a lot  nine  rods  by  four,  donated  to  Sandy  Bay 
by  Richard  Tarr,  the  first  settler — he  also  alluded  to  the 
several  additions  that  had  been  since  made;  Rev.  L.  P.  Atwood 
(Methodist)  offered  the  opening  prayer;  selections  of  Scripture 
were  read  by  Rev.  Wm.  Hooper  (Universalist);  concluding 
prayer,  by  Rev.  David  Bremner  (Congregationalist).  Rev. 
J.  M.  Driver,  the  Baptist  clergyman,  was  absent  from  town. 

The  name  “Beech  Grove”  was  submitted  to  the  audience 
by  the  chairman  of  the  selectmen  and  was  unanimously 
adopted.  Immediately  after  the  consecration  services,  the 
choice  of  lots  was  offered  at  auction,  an  appraisal  having 
previously  been  made.  The  amount  received  from  the  sale  of 
lots  that  year  was  $167.25. 

This  cemetery  contains  about  fifteen  acres,  a large  portion 
of  which  is  occupied. 

Locust  Grove  Cemetery. 

The  origin  of  the  Locust  Grove  cemetery  was  the  purchase 
of  a small  tract  of  land  by  certain  individuals,  which  they  laid 
out  in  lots  for  burial  purposes.  There  being  a necessity  for  a 
public  burial  ground  to  accommodate  the  North  Village,  the 
town  in  1854  purchased  of  Messrs.  Woodbury  and  Parsons  a 
tract  of  land  adjoining  the  private  cemetery,  at  a cost  of  $150. 
In  the  year  1 869,  an  additional  lot  was  purchased  of  the 
Langsford  heirs,  for  $400,  and  in  1 870  another  purchase  from 
the  same  heirs  was  made  at  the  sum  of  $200.  These  several 
purchases  comprised  territory  of  good  proportion  and  constitute 
the  now  “Locust  Grove  Cemetery.”  The  town  has  expended 
upon  this  cemetery  up  to  March,  1888,  as  appears  by  the 
auditors’  reports,  in  the  purchase  of  land,  laying  out  lots, 
building  a tomb,  grading  the  avenues,  fencing  the  grounds, 
and  all  other  improvements  except  the  building  of  the  hearse- 
house,  $5,607.31.  The  town  has  received  from  the  sale  of 
wood  and  lots,  $2,562.59.  It  contains  about  ten  acres.  Quite 
a number  of  lots  remain  unsold. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


173 


As  far  as  we  can  learn,  this  cemetery  was  never  formally 
consecrated. 

Bombshell  in  Church. 

On  Sunday  evening,  November  1st.,  1861,  there  was  an 
audience  of  about  seventy  persons  in  the  Universalist  church, 
listening  to  a lecture  on  the  slavery  question  being  delivered 
by  Rev.  Parker  Pillsbury.  # Directly  some  person  threw  a 
bomb-shell  through  a window  on  the  north  side  of  the  house. 
It  landed  n^ar  where  Mr.  Pillsbury  was  standing  and  exploded, 
filling  the  house  with  smoke.  The  frightened  audience  quickly 
vacated  the  premises.  The  smoke  soon  cleared  and  a portion 
of  the  audience  returned  and  Mr.  Pillsbury  resumed  his  lecture. 

This  missile  was  made  by  taking  two  pieces  of  coal  and  a 
quantity  of  powder  wrapped  in  a cloth  secured  by  cords  and 
saturated  with  spirits  of  turpentine;  it  was  about  six  inches  in 
diameter. 

That  evening  there  were  some  four  or  five  rows  of  pews 
near  the  pulpit  unoccupied.  The  why  was  not  known.  We 
understand  a portion  of  the  society  were  opposed  to  the  use 
of  the  house  for  such  lectures. 

Rockport  Railroad. 

When  the  Gloucester  Branch  of  the  Eastern  Road  was 
being  constructed,  and  also  after  it  was  opened  for  travel  (in 
1 847)  the  question  was  agitated  by  some  of  our  most  prominent 
citizens  and  business  men,  of  extending  the  road  to  Rockport; 
but  the  Eastern  Railroad  Corporation  could  not  be  induced  to 
engage  in  that  enterprise.  Therefore  Ezra  Eames  and  other 
citizens  of  Rockport  obtained  an  act  of  incorporation  by  the 
name  of  the  Rockport  Railroad  Company,  by  which  act  they 
were  authorized  to  construct  a railroad  from  the  terminus  of 
the  Gloucester  Branch  to  some  point  in  Rockport.  After  a 
conference  with  the  officers  of  the  Eastern  Railroad  Company, 
they  proposed  in  the  year  1855  that  if  the  Rockport  Railroad 
Company  would  construct  the  road  and  make  all  the  necessary 


74 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


connections  by  switches  or  otherwise  with  the  track  of  the 
Gloucester  Branch,  keep  the  road  bed  in  good  repair,  assume 
the  risk  of  accidents  that  might  occur  upon  said  Rockport 
road,  (excepting  those  arising  from  the  negligence  of  the 
Eastern  Railroad),  also  furnish  a suitable  engine  house,  turn- 
table and  water  at  the  terminus  of  the  road;  furnish  a ticket 
seller,  switchman,  road-tenders,  and  all  other  operatives 
necessary,  excepting  the  men  oirthe  train.  Agree  that  they 
will  run  all  their  passenger  and  freight  trains  over  the  Rockport 
Railroad,  connecting  with  all  regular  trains  over  the  Gloucester 
Branch,  and  will  convey  all  the  freight  and  passengers  over 
said  Rockport  road  for  the  term  of  five  years  from  the  time 
said  Rockport  road  shall  be  in  good  running  order,  without 
charge  or  remuneration.  In  case  the  parties  cannot  agree 
upon  what  terms  the  road  shall  be  run  at  the  end  of  five  years, 
both  parties  agree  to  leave  the  question  to  referees  mutually 
chosen,  whose  decision  shall  be  final. 

Notwithstanding  the  liberal  offer  made  by  the  E.  R.  R. 
Corporation,  the  stock  of  the  Rockport  Railroad  was  subscribed 
for  to  a very  limited  extent,  therefore  the  building  of  the  road 
was  delayed.  In  the  year  i860,  the  town  petitioned  the 
Legislature,  asking  to  be  authorized  to  subscribe  for  and  take 
fifty  thousand  dollars  of  stock  in  the  Rockport  Railroad. 
Authority  was  granted. 

A special  town  meeting  was  held  on  the  2d.  day  of  April, 
at  which  meeting  it  was  voted  326  in  the  affirmative,  31  in 
the  negative,  to  accept  the  act  of  the  Legislature,  and  that  the 
town  do  subscribe  for  and  take  fifty  thousand  dollars  of  the 
Rockport  Railroad  stock,  provided  favorable  arrangements 
can  be  made  with  the  E.  Railroad  Corporation.  It  was  also 
voted  to  authorize  the  town  treasurer  to  hire  fifty  thousand 
dollars  in  sums  as  wanted  and  issue  town  bonds  therefor. 

The  Eastern  Railroad  Corporation  renewed  the  agreement 
as  made  in  1855,  and  the  constructing  of  the  Rockport  road 
was  put  under  contract  $63,000.  Gilman  & Co.  were  the 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


175 


contractors.  Work  was  commenced  Aug.  23d.,  i860.  The 
road  was  completed  and  was  opened  for  travel  on  the  4th. 
day  of  November,  1861.  When  opened  for  travel  there  was 
a debt  of  about  $28,000  resting  upon  it  and  it  became  necessary 
for  the  town  to  come  to  the  rescue,  which  it  did  and  petitioned 
the  Legislature  in  January,  1862,  to  grant  it  authority  to  take 
an  additional  sum  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  of  stock  in 
said  railroad.  The  town  was  so  authorized. 

At  a special  town  meeting  on  the  7th.  day  of  April,  1862, 
it  was  voted  that  the  town  subscribe  for  and  take  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars  of  additional  stock  in  the  Rockport  Railroad, 
and  that  the  town  treasurer  be  authorized  to  hire  the  said 
amount  and  issue  town  bonds  therefor.  The  whole  cost  of 
the  road  was  $91,007.28.  The  town  held  stock  to  the  amount 
of  $75,000;  individual  stockholders,  $13,400;  debt  remaining, 
$2,607.28. 

The  first  year,  1862,  a dividend  of  4 per  cent,  was  paid. 


“ fourth  “ 1865,  “ “ “ 8 “ “ 

“ fifth  “ 1866,“  “ “10  “ “ 

6 mos.  to  May,  1867,  “ “ ‘‘4  “ “ 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  capital  stock,  $88,400,  was  not 
sufficient  to  pay  the  cost  of  building  the  road  and  the  necessary 
buildings  and  the  land  damage,  by  the  sum  of  $2,607.28.  This 
debt  was  paid  from  the  earnings  of  the  road,  but  this  did  not 
prevent  the  paying_of  good  dividends. 

At  the  close  of  the  five  years  an  agreement  was  made  with 
the  E.  R.  R.  Co:  to  run  all  of  their  trains  over  the  Rockport 
road  at  the  rate  of  $500  per  month,  our  road  being  liable  Tor 
any  damage  that  may  occur,  as  by  the  previous  agreement. 
This  arrangement  was  continued  until  February,  1868,  when 
the  Rockport  road  with  all  its  franchises  was  sold  to  the 


“ second  “ 1863,  “ 

“ third  “ 1864,“ 


<c 


(( 


u 


;6 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Eastern  at  the  cost  of  construction,  viz:  $91,007.28.  The  town 
received  over  and  above  all  that  was  expended  for  stock  and 
interest,  $3,636.44. 

The  Rockport  road  with  befitting  ceremonies  was  opened 
for  travel  on  the  4th.  day  of  November,  1861. 

On  the  4th.  day  of  July,  1867,  a heavy  shower  with  a high 
wind  took  place  in  the  afternoon.  A tent  erected  upon  the 
field  of  Joshua  Sanborn,  near  Back  Beach,  by  the  Methodist 
society,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  a fair,  was  blown  down. 
A new  engine,  “Great  Falls,”  was  wrecked  on  the  Rockport 
railroad;  some  cattle  owned  by  John  Bray  were  killed.  The 
damages  were  paid  by  the  Rockport  Railroad  Co. 

From  the  Cape  Ann  Weekly  Advertiser  of  Nov . 8th , 1861. 

“Opening  of  the  Rockport  Railroad. — On  Monday  last, 
the  4th.  inst.,  the  Rockport  Railroad  was  opened  for  travel, 
and  a free  ride  was  given  to  all  who  availed  themselves  of  the 
privilege.  The  weather  was  fine,  and  the  cars  throughout  the 
day  were  crowded  to  their  utmost  capacity. 

Accepting  a polite  invitation  from  the  committee  of  arrange- 
ments we  took  the  noon  train,  and  were  soon  landed  in  that 
thriving  village.  Having  a spare  hour  before  dinner,  we  took 
a stroll  around  the  town  visiting  the  most  important  localities; 
after  which  we  repaired  to  the  hall  where  the  collation  was  to 
be  served  up.  Here  we  found  a large  gathering  of  friends 
who  had  been  invited  to  participate  on  this  festive  occasion. 
The  tables  literally  groaned  under  the  weight  of  good  things. 
After  a blessing  had  been  asked  by  the  Rev.  Wakefield  Gale, 
the  company  fell  to  and  satisfied  the  cravings  of  hunger.  The 
dinner  was  served  by  mine  host  S.  P.  Randall  of  the  Rockport 
Hotel,  and  was  one  of  the  best  we  ever  sat  down  to;  there 
was  an  abundance  of  everything  and  that  of  the  best  quality. 

After  the  inner  man  had  been  fully  satisfied  the  meeting 
was  called  to  order  by  Mr.  Newell  Giles  (president  of  the  R. 
R.  Co.)  who  addressed  the  meeting  in  a few  pertinent  remarks 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


1 77 


concerning  the  history  of  the  road.  He  was  followed  by  Mr. 
Williams,  a director  of  the  E.  R.  R.,  who  made  some  interesting 
remarks  concerning  railroads.  He  said  there  were  fifteen 
hundred  and  fifty-six  miles  of  railroad  in  this  state;  and 
contrasted  the  scene  with  that  of  ancient  times,  when  stage- 
coaches were  the  only  mode  of  travelling,  when  it  required 
two  days  to  visit  Boston  and  return.  Then  there  were  but 
three  trips  a week;  now  the  cars  run  three  times  a day.  He 
congratulated  the  citizens  on  the  completion  of  the  enterprise, 
and  hoped  that  the  prosperity  of  the  railroad  would  be  as 
solid  and  enduring  as  the  granite  quarries  of  the  Cape. 

Mr.  Chase,  a former  Supt.  of  the  Eastern  Railroad,  followed 
with  some  felicitous  remarks.  He  said  it  was  nearly  thirty 
years  since  he  first  became  acquainted  with  railroads.  In  the 
fall  of  1836,  he  first  put  spade  into  the  ground  at  East  Boston 
to  establish  an  enterprise  which  was  to  extend  to  Bangor  and 
to  these  ocean  shores.  It  was  then  thought  to  be  a great 
undertaking,  who  would  imperil  their  lives  by  riding  on  a 
railroad?  It  would  surely  prove  a failure.  But  how  mistaken 
they  were,  since  the  opening  of  the  Eastern  Railroad  twenty 
millions  of  people  have  been  transported  in  regular  trains 
without  accident.  He  also  spoke  of  the  advantages  which 
would  accrue  to  the  town  of  Rockport,  from  the  establishment 
of  this  road,  and  congratulated  the  citizens  on  its  successful 
opening. 

Mr.  Howe,  a former  President  of  the  Eastern  Railroad, 
then  made  a few  remarks  which  were  greeted  with  frequent 
applause.  He  had  thought  there  was  not  much  novelty  in  a 
railroad  opening,  but  from  the  crowded  state  of  the  cars  on 
this  road  to-day  he  was  convinced  that  there  was  a great 
interest  manifested  in  this  enterprise;  the  completion  of  which 
has  called  us  together  to-day;  when  he  was  a boy  he  used  to 
go  down  on  the  end  of  Long  Wharf  and  watch  the  Rockport 
fishing-boats  beat  up  against  wind  and  tide;  it  was  an  evidence 
of  enterprise,  and  We  to-day  see  the  fruits  of  the  enterprise  of 


i;8 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


this  people,  in  the  railroad  which  is  now  finished  and  in  running 
order.  The  speaker  related  many  stories  in  a style  which 
kept  the  audience  in  good-humor. 

Hon.  Moses  Kimball  of  Boston  was  next  called  and  made 
a rousing  speech.  He  drew  some  life-like  pictures  of  Rockport 
as  it  was,  contrasting  it  with  the  Rockport  of  to-day.  His 
earliest  recollections  were  of  the  village  of  Sandy  Bay  with 
its  little  cluster  of  hamlets  near  the  water  side,  and  its  inhabitants 
drawing  their  means  of  livelihood  from  the  depths  of  old 
ocean.  The  spirit  of  enterprise  these  people  exhibited  was  to 
erect  a church,  and  each  man  contributed  to  the  utmost  of  his 
ability,  and  the  result  was  the  building  of  the  first  Congreg- 
tionalist  meeting-house  which  stands  to-day  on  yonder  hill. 
Having  got  the  church  with  all  the  privileges  that  flow 
therefrom,  they  said  they  would  have  a schoolhouse,  and  they 
got  it.  They  began  rightly  attending  first  to  their  moral  and 
religious  culture, — and  to  this  they  owe  their  prosperity. 
Next  follows  the  Isinglass  Factory,  and  hake  sounds  were 
found  to  be  a merchantable  article  and  readily  brought  the 
cash.  The  quarry  grounds  at  Pigeon  Cove  is  where  the  next 
enterprise  developed;  he  well  remembered  the  excitement 
produced  when  a company  from  Boston  commenced  splitting 
stone  from  the  ledges.  They  were  considered  worthless  and 
were  covered  with  brambles;  the  more  a man  owned  of  that 
kind  of  property  the  poorer  he  was  considered.  But  a new 
event  was  dawning,  they  were  found  to  contain  bars  of  gold, 
which  were  to  be  brought  to  light  by  the  sturdy  blows  of  the 
workmen  in  getting  out  the  solid  granite.  Next  to  the  Quarry 
enterprise  came  the  building  of  the  Factory,  and  when  that  was 
completed  they  got  a Bank  in  whose  vaults  they  could  lock  up 
their  money.  Next  followed  the  Savings  Bank  where  the  poorer 
classes  could  deposit  their  savings  and  have  them  increased 
without  any  efforts  of  their  own.  Do  you  stop  here?  No! 
the  last  crowning  glory  of  your  enterprise  is  the  Railroad.  It 
was  hard  for  individuals  to  put  their  hands  in  their  pockets 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


79 


to  carry  out  this  enterprise,  but  the  town  generously  came 
forward  and  voted  the  sinews  of  war.  Some  think  it  a desperate 
undertaking,  and  that  it  will  not  pay  any  dividend.  Supposing 
it  does  not  at  present,  what  then?  Does  not  the  town  get  its 
money  back  in  the  increase  in  valuation  of  property?  Is  not 
Rockport  the  winter  fishing  port  on  the  coast  of  New  England? 
And  cannot  your  fish  be  transported  to  market  at  a quick  rate 
on  the  railroad,  thereby  saving  in  teaming?  And  cannot  you 
take  advantage  of  the  market  and  rush  your  fish  to  Boston 
and  from  thence  to  all  the  cities  of  New  York  and  the  West, 
thereby  securing  the  largest  prices  and  a control  of  the  business? 
It  has  always  been  your  aim  since  you  separated  from 
Gloucester  to  outstrip  her  and  now  that  you  have  your  railroad 
you  can  do  it.  You  are  the  grand  terminus  of  the  road,  and 
she  has  become  a way  station.  Let  me  conclude  in  the  words 
of  a popular  song: 

“Glory,  Glory,  Hallelujah, 

Rockport  is  marching  on.” 

Benj.  K.  Hough,  Esq.,  followed  Mr.  Kimball  in  a most 
eloquent  and  telling  speech.  He  said  he  was  always  a friend 
to  the  enterprise  of  building  a railroad  to  Rockport  and  was 
among  the  first  to  advocate  the  project.  He  congratulated 
the  citizens  for  the  enterprising  spirit  they  had  manifested  and 
hoped  they  would  be  amply  rewarded.  He  contrasted  the  old 
stage-coach  method  of  travelling  with  that  of  the  railway  and 
related  many  pleasing  anecdotes  in  illustration.  In  most 
eloquent  language_he  alluded  to  the  perilous  times  which  our 
country  is  passing  through,  and  concluded  by  saying  that  he 
had  faith  to  believe  that  the  Union  would  yet  be  established 
on  a firmer  foundation  than  ever.  The  times  were  indeed 
unfavorable  for  your  enterprise  but  don’t  get  discouraged;  after 
we  get  through  with  the  present  difficulties,  business  will 
revive  and  your  railroad  will  become  paying  property. 

Appropriate  speeches  were  also  made  by  F.  W.  Choate, 


HISTORY  OF  R0CKP0R7. 


1 80 

Esq.,  of  Beverly;  Rev.  C.  C.  Beaman  of  Salem;  JohnM.Oxton 
of  Boston,  and  B.  H.  Corliss,  Esq.,  of  Gloucester,  but  our  limits 
forbid  our  making  any  further  report. 

At  4 P.  M.  the  meeting  closed,  and  the  party  well  pleased 
with  their  excursion  and  entertainment,  wended  their  way  to 
the  depot  where  the  cars  were  in  readiness  to  carry  them  home. 
It  was  a day  to  be  remembered,  and  we  extend  our  thanks  for 
courtesies  bestowed.” 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


81 


CHAPTER  VII. 


The  winter  and  spring  months  of  the  years  i860 — 61  were 
months  of  great  anxiety.  Abraham  Lincoln  was  in  November, 
i860,  constitutionally. elected  President  of  these  United  States 
of  America,  but  there  were  marked  indications  that  several  of 
the  states  comprising  the  Union  would  not  submit  to  his 
administering  the  affairs  of  this  nation.  Soon  our  fears  proved 
a reality,  for  on  the  thirteenth  day  of  April,  1861,  the  news  was 
transmitted  with  lightning  speed  all  over  the  United  States, 
that  Fort  Sumter  in  Charleston  harbor  had  been  fired  upon 
with  Union  guns  in  Rebel  hands.  The  next  day,  Major 
Anderson,  who  was  in  command,  was  compelled  to  surrender 
to  Gen.  Beauregard,  who  was  in  command  of  the  Rebel  forces. 

What  awe  and  anxiety  pervaded  every  loyal  heart,  as  it  was 
feared  the  next  object  of  attack  would  be  the  capital  of  the 
nation.  How  were  the  people  of  this  usually  quiet  town 
aroused  as  at  the  close  of  the  afternoon  service  on  that  otherwise 
pleasant  April  Sabbath,  our  ears  were  greeted  with  the  sound 
of  martial  music  and  the  tramp  of  footsteps  led  by  one  in 
whose  breast  was  awakened  the  slumbering  fire  of  patriotism. 

Not  only  was  the  leader  of  that  host  awakened,  but  the 
entire  community  were  intensely  in  earnest.  The  feeling  of 
patriotism  and  loyalty  awakened  by  this  demonstration 
manifested  itself  in  outspoken  utterances  of  determined  resist- 
ance to  flagrant  -outrage  and  armed  invasion,  its  object  to 
capture  the  capital  of  the  nation.  This  feeling  was  intensified 
by  confirmatory  despatches  received  within  the  next  following 
days,  announcing  the  organizing  and  marshalling  of  the 
impetuous  hosts  of  the  Rebel  states  whose  regiments  of  foot 
and  cavalry  were  fast  centering  in  Virginia,  provoking  the 
conflict  that  soon  followed  and  bathed  her  sacred  soil  and 
dyed  her  historic  streams  with  crimson  hue  of  richest  blood. 


182 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


It  was  apparent  that  united  action  should  be  taken  by  the 
town  to  provide  and  care  for  the  families  of  those  who  were 
ready  and  earnest  to  enlist  in  the  service  of  the  loyal  states 
and  enroll  their  names  with  those  that  were  ready  to  do  and 
to  suffer  that  rebellion  might  be  squelched.  On  the  22d  day 
of  April,  an  informal  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  held  in 
Johnson’s  Hall  and  a committee  of  eleven  were  chosen,  viz: 
George  D.  Hale,  Samuel  H.  Brooks,  Daniel  Stamford,  John 
Preston,  Joshua  Tarr,  Reuben  Brooks,  Newell  Giles,  Stephen 
P.  Randall,  Winthrop  Thurston,  Levi  Cleaves  and  Ezra  Eames, 
to  consider  and  report  at  a future  meeting  some  course  of 
action  for  the  town  to  pursue.  At  a town  meeting  held  on 
the  30th  inst.,  the  committee  reported,  and  recommended  that 
the  town  appropriate  three  thousand  dollars  to  be  expended 
as  follows,  viz:  that  each  volunteer  of  Rockport  when  he  shall 
have  passed  an  examination  shall  be  paid  twenty  dollars,  the 
balance  to  be  put  in  the  hands  of  a committee  of  eight  persons, 
to  be  used  at  their  discretion  for  the  support  of  the  families  of 
the  volunteers.  The  report  was  adopted  by  a unanimous  vote. 
The  committee  chosen  to  carry  this  vote  into  effect  were:  Benj. 
Haskell,  M.  D.,  Winthrop  Thurston,  George  D.  Hale,  Ezra 
Eames,  John  Manning,  James  W.  Bradley,  Austin  W.  Story, 
Reuben  Brooks,  with  the  selectmen,  J.  W.  Marshall,  Addison 
Gott  and  Wm.  Marchant.  A recruiting  office  was  opened  in 
Johnson’s  Hall,  and  by  the  close  of  the  month  of  May  a sufficient 
number  had  enrolled  their  names  as  volunteers,  and  a company 
was  organized.  The  committee  were  untiring  in  their  efforts 
to  have  this  company  assigned  to  some  one  of  the  several 
regiments  that  were  being  organized,  but  were  delayed  in  having 
their  appeals  to  the  state  authorities  favorably  answered,  on 
account  of  the  many  applications  from  all  over  the  state.  As 
no  encouragement  could  be  obtained  for  immediate  place  at 
any  of  the  headquarters  of  the  troops,  this  company,  about 
the  4th  day  of  June,  went  into  camp  at  Cape  Pond  pasture, 
where  the  time  passed  heavily  in  consequence  of  their  not 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


183 


being  provided  with  arms,  therefore  they  could  not  acquaint 
themselves  with  the  drill.  Under  that  existing  state  of  things 
thirteen  of  the  men,  tired  of  that  kind  of  life  and  anxious  to  be 
in  active  service,  left  camp  and  went  to  Portland  and  enlisted 
in  the  5th  Maine  Regiment ; others  left  to  enroll  themselves 
in  other  companies;  one  of  the  thirteen  returned  and  rejoined 
the  company  which  was  afterward  known  as  Co.  G of  the  1 7th 
Reg.,  M.  V.  Among  the  number  that  enlisted  in  the  5th 
Maine  was  Otis  Wing  Wallace.  He  was  ever  faithful,  prompt, 
courageous  and  undaunted  in  battle;  the  hardships  of  the 
Peninsula  Campaign  produced  weakness  and  prostration 
which  necessitated,  though  reluctantly  on  his  part,  his  removal 
to  Finley  Hospital,  Washington,  D.  C.,  where  he  lingered 
until  the  28th  day  of  October,  1862,  dying  at  the  age  of 
twenty-six  years,  nine  months  and  four  days.  He  was  buried 
in  the  soldiers’  cemetery  in  that  city. 

This  Maine  regiment  arrived  in  Washington  and  was  engaged 
in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run.  It  was  also  engaged  in  all  of 
the  principal  battles  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac  and  was  in 
the  desperate  and  bloody  conflict  at  Gettysburg. 

Co.  G,  17th  Reg’t,  continued  at  Camp  Kimball  (Cape  Pond 
pasture),  so  named  after  the  Hon.  Moses  Kimball  of  Boston 
(formerly  of  Rockport),  until  about  the  10th  of  July,  when  it 
left  town  for  Camp  Schouler,  Lynnfield.  Previous  to  their 
leaving  camp,  Mr.  Kimball  presented  the  company  with  an 
elegant  silk  flag,  he  bestowing  the  gift  in  person.  That  flag 
is  now  in  the  custody  of  O.  W.  Wallace  Post  No.  106,  G.  A. 
R.  The  presentation  services  were  in  front  of  the  First 
Congregational  meeting-house  and  the  flag  was  accepted  in 
behalf  of  the  company,  by  Capt.  Daniel  B.  Tarr,  who  was 
chosen  to  that  position  at  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the 
company.  Each  member  of  the  company  was  presented  at 
this  time  with  a copy  of  the  New  Testament.  After  going 
into  camp  at  Lynnfield,  a disaffection  sprang  up  from  some 
unexplained  cause.  Capt.  Tarr,  realizing  the  situation,  resigned 


184 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


his  position;  George  W.  Kenney  of  Danvers  was  chosen  captain 
and  succeeded  him.  Soon  after  this  the  company  was  recruited 
to  the  maximum  standard;  thirty-six  of  its  members  were  from 
Rockport.  The  17th  Regiment  left  Lynnfield  for  Baltimore, 
on  the  20th  day  of  August,  ’61,  where  it  arrived  in  due  time, 
and  was  there  stationed  several  months  and  did  good  service. 

It  was  from  this  company  the  first  one  of  our  citizens  fell  a 
sacrifice  on  the  altar  of  patriotism.  First  Lieut.  George  W. 
Tufts,  of  Co.  G,  17th.  Reg’t.  M.  V.,  died  at  Baltimore,  Oct. 
27th,  1861,  aged  thirty -three  years,  six  months  and  twenty-one 
days.  His  remains  arrived  at  Rockport,  Thursday  evening, 
Oct.  31st,  enclosed  in  an  air-tight  metallic  case,  under  escort 
of  some  members  of  the  company.  Funeral  services  were 
held  Friday  afternoon  in  the  Congregational  church  which 
was  filled  at  an  early  hour  with  those  that  came  to  pay  their 
respects  to  one  that  went  forth  to  do  and  dare  for  the  preservation 
of  the  Union.  There  were  present  Ashler  Lodge,  of  which  he 
was  a member,  and  a delegation  of  Tyrian  Lodge,  A.  F.  & A. 
M.  As  they  entered  the  church  the  choir  sang  a dirge,  then 
Rev.  W.  Gale  read  appropriate  selections  of  Scripture  and 
offered  prayer;  after  which  Rev.  David  Bremner  made  remarks 
appropriate  to  the  occasion,  a part  of  which  was:  “Although 
it  was  not  his  fortune  to  die  on  the  battle-field  amid  the  shrieks 
of  the  wounded,  he  died  at  the  post  of  duty,  and  all  honor  to 
him  be  given.  The  position  his  regiment  occupied  was  one 
of  defense,  but  their  services  were  as  necessary  as  were  those 
who  took  a more  active  part  in  scenes  of  strife.  He  was  ready 
to  fight  for  his  country  and  his  patriotic  heart  throbbed  with 
manly  devotion.  The  last  hours  of  the  deceased  were  pleasant, 
and  his  last  words,  “I  die  happy.”  He  was  attended  by  kind 
friends  during  his  illness.  Kind  ladies  of  Baltimore  sent  him 
such  delicacies  as  his  case  required.  * * * Everything 

which  could  be  done  for  his  comfort  was  kindly  bestowed.” 
Rev.  Elijah  Mason  read  a hymn  he  composed  for  the 
occasion.  A few  stanzas  we  here  insert. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


185 


1.  “Ringing  o’er  hill  and  plain 
The  cry  of  war’s  alarms; 

The  nation’s  freedom  to  maintain 
Our  brothers  rush  to  arms, 

From  old  Atlantic  shores 
Where  Pilgrim  ashes  lie 
To  where  the  broad  Pacific  roars, 
Beneath  a genial  sky.” 

}£  ;jc  sfc 

8.  “Death  lurks  amid  these  bands, 

Though  clad  in  armor  bright, 

And  palsies  oft  the  Patriot’s  hands 
Contending  for  the  right. 

Some  in  the  battle’s  strife 

Amid  the  cannon’s  roar 

Yield,  for  their  country’s  weal  their  life 

And  fall  on  fields  of  gore. 

9.  Some  felt  the  sickly  blast 
Which  on  the  midnight  air, 

Above  the  slumbering  soldier  passed, 
And  left  its  poison  there. 

Their  strength  and  beauty  wane 
Far  from  homes  away 
And  skill  and  friendship  strive  in  vain, 
The  spoiler’s  hand  to  stay. 

10.  At  length  their  force  is  spent 
Like  waves  upon  the  shore; 

And  tidings  fly  from  tent  to  tent, 

‘Our  comrade  is  no  more.’ 

Then  with  the  lightning’s  flight 
The  painful  message  comes, 

The  hopes  of  kindred  hearts  to  blight 
And  cloud  the  sunny  homes. 


1 86  HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


1 1 . May  each  the  lessons  heed, 

These  solemn  scenes  afford; 

That  we  may  learn  such  lives  to  lead 
As  win  a sure  reward. 

Our  country’s  rights  defend, 

Oh!  vindicate  our  cause; 

Let  treason  in  confusion  end; 

And  honored  be  our  laws. 

12.  Inspire  our  men  of  might 
With  wisdom  from  on  high; 

Guard  those  our  soldiers  in  the  fight, 

Till  all  the  traitors  fly, 

Till  war  at  rest  is  laid; 

And  free  the  fettered  slave; 

Till  stars  and  stripes,  with  blending  shades, 
Throughout  the  nation  wave. 

13.  But  most  of  all  we  pray, 

Our  wayward  passions  bind; 

And  let  religion’s  gentle  sway 
Subdue  the  carnal  mind. 

Through  scenes  of  light  and  shade, 

Serenely  then  we’ll  pass; 

And  crowns  of  Glory  on  our  heads, 

Be  our  reward  at  last.” 

Rev.  Stillman  Barden  spoke  feelingly  of  the  character  of 
the  deceased,  and  of  the  occasion  which  had  brought  so  large 
a concourse  of  people  from  their  homes  to  the  house  of  worship. 
“Here,  lying  before  us  in  that  casket,  is  a martyr  to  the  cause 
of  his  country.  Death  found  him  actively  performing  his 
duty  and  ready  to  exert  his  might  in  defence  of  the  government. 
Our  brother  is  not  dead — he  has  only  made  an  advance  step 
for  further  light.  Men  who  depart  from  us  while  at  their 
posts  of  duty,  with  their  armor  on,  do  not  die\  their  mortal 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


§7 


remains  crumble  to  dust,  but  their  example,  their  actions  and 
their  influence  still  remain,  to  incite  us  to  more  vigorous 
action.  * * * * It  is  an  honor  to  leave  the  world  as  he 

left  it,  engaged  in  the  work  in  which  he  was.  To  the  relatives 
and  friends  I offer  my  heartfelt  sympathies;  may  they  have 
the  sweet  consolation  which  cometh  from  above,  in  this  their 
hour  of  bereavement.”  . Rev.  Wakefield  Gale  made  a short  and 
appropriate  address.  He  was  followed  by  John  W.  Marshall, 
who  spoke  of  the  privilege  he  enjoyed  of  being  with  Lieut. 
Tufts  the  last  day  of  his  regiment’s  encampment  at  Lynnfield, 
as  they  were  about  leaving  for  the  seat  of  war.  He  recalled 
with  pleasure  his  appearance  that  day:  his  whole  soul  was  in 
the  work  before  him.  He  was  a general  favorite  with  the 
men,  and  a strict  disciplinarian.  An  appropriate  funeral  hymn 
was  then  sung.  The  benediction  was  pronounced  and  the  vast 
audience  left  the  church,  formed  in  procession  and  followed 
the  corpse  to  Beech  Grove  cemetery.  The  procession  was 
escorted  by  the  band,  which  played  a dirge.  The  Ashler  and 
Tyrian  Lodges  of  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  performed  the  appropriate 
and  impressive  burial  service  of  their  order  at  the  grave. 

“Everything  connected  with  these  funeral  ceremonies  was 
well  carried  out  and  reflects  the  greatest  honor  upon  the  town 
of  Rockport.” — Cape  Ann  Advertiser,  Nov.  8th,  1861. 

The  17th  Regiment  in  the  spring  of  1862  left  Baltimore 
and  joined  Major-Gen’l  Foster’s  command  at  Newbern,  North 
Carolina,  where  it  remained,  and  continued  in  that  vicinity 
during  the  war,  rendering  good  service.  The  Adjutant  General 
of  Massachusetts^in  his  report  of  this  Reg’t  for  1865,  closes 
with  these  words,  “Thus  terminates  the  splendid  record  of  the 
Seventeenth  Regiment.” 

Following  are  the  names  of  those  who  served  in  the  quota 
of  Rockport,  their  age  at  the  time  of  enlistment,  the  Company 
and  Regiment  in  which  they  served,  date  of  muster  and 
discharge,  and  the  cause  thereof;  also  the  names  of  those  who 


1 88 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


were  in  the  naval  service,  their  rank,  and  name  of  the  vessel 
on  board  of  which  they  served. 

17TH  reg’t  (infantry)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 

Company  G. 

Name.  Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service  and  cause. 


George  W.  Tufts,  1st.  Lieut.,  33,  Aug.  21  ’61,  died  at  Baltimore, 

Oct.  27  ’61. 


Alfred  M.  Channell,  2d  “ 

29,  “ 

“ “ resigned  Jan.  17 ’62. 

John  J.  McKenney, 

18,  July 

22  ‘ Apr  23  ’63,  disability. 

John  N.  Barton, 

36,  “ 

“ “ June  12“  “ 

James  Brown,  Jr., 

36,  “ 

“ “ Mar.  18“ 

Robert  Chisholm, 

23,  “ 

“ “ Jan.  3 “ 

William  Gooding, 

24,  “ 

“ “ May  28  “ 

Andrew  Goldthwait, 

24,  “ 

“ “ never  left  the  State. 

Joshua  F.  Hatch, 

22,  “ 

“ “ Jan.  3 ’63,  disability. 

Oliver  A.  Norton, 

29,  “ 

“ “Apr.  23  u 

George  S.  Parker, 

19,  “ 

“ “June  23“  “ 

George  Prior, 

3L  “ 

“ “ died  at  Newbern,  N. 
C.,  Sept.  28  ’62. 

Story  D.  Pool,  Serg’t, 

3L  “ 

“ “ Aug.  3 ’64,  expira- 
tion of  service. 

George  Elwell, 

3L  “ 

“ “ Jan.  1 ’6440  re -enlist. 

William  A.  Stevens,  Serg’t, 

40,  “ 

“ “ Aug.  3 ’64,  exp.  of 
service. 

Edward  D.  Bray, 

22,  “ 

u a ((  a a a 

Edgar  B.  Clement,  Serg’t, 

23,  “ 

a a a a a a 

William  H.  Davis,  Corp., 

26,  “ 

“ * Dec  26  ’63,  to  re-enlist 

Felix  Doyle, 

36,  “ 

“ “ Aug.  3 ’64,  expira- 
tion of  service. 

James  Finn, 

29,  “ 

“ “ Jan.  5 ’64,  to  re-enlist. 

George  Felt, 

26,  “ 

“ “ never  left  the  state. 

Cyrus  Pool, 

3°>  “ 

“ “ Aug.  3 ’64,  expira- 
tion of  service. 

William  Robbins, 

23,  “ 

“ “ July  ’62,  disability. 

HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


189 


Name.  Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 


John  Reeves, 

22, 

July  22  ’61  Dec.  30  ’63  re-enlist. 

Henry  C.  Robinson, 

35, 

“ “ “ Sept.  ’63,  Commis’d 

Ensign  in  the  Navy. 

Hugh  Strain, 

20, 

“ “ “ Jan.  1 ’64,  to  re-enlist. 

E.  W.  Skinner, 

22 

“ “ “ never  left  the  state. 

James  H.  Stevens, 

21, 

“ “ “ Aug.  3 ’64,  expira- 

tion of  service. 

Jesse  McLoud, 

19, 

“ “ “ Jan.  4 ’64,  to  re-enlist. 

Brainard  B.  Scanlan, 

21, 

“ “ “ Aug.  3 “ expiration  of 

service. 

Thomas  H.  Taylor, 

22, 

“ “ “ Dec.  23  “ to  re-enlist. 

William  Gould, 

35, 

“ « ci  ^ied  at  Andersonville, 

May  5 ’64. 

Ezekiel  H.  Stacy, 

28, 

“ “ “ Aug.  3 ’64,  expira- 

tion of  service. 

Jerome  Wheeler, 

21, 

“ “ “ died  at  Newbern,  N. 

C.,  Nov.  19,  ’62. 

Charles  H.  Gove, 

19, 

“ “ “ Dec.  28  ’63,  re-enlist. 

James  B.  Daley,  Serg’t, 

21, 

“ « April  2 ’62,  disability. 

IITH  REG’t  (INFANTRY)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS). 

John  C.  Knowlton,  age  22;  Co.  I,  must,  in  July  10,  1861; 
disch.  Sept.  1,  1862,  for  disability. 

1 2TH  REG’T  (INFANTRY)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS.) 

Hugh  McGuire,  age  28;  Co.  K,  must,  in  June  26,  1861; 
disch.  Dec.  8 1863-5-  by  order  of  War  Dept. 

ist  reg’t  (heavy  artillery)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 

Company  L. 

Charles  M.  Wilkinson,  Serg’t,  age  31;  must,  in,  Feb.  28, 
1862;  disch.  Nov.  26,  1863,  for  disability. 


HISTORY  Of  ROCKPORT. 


190 


Company  M. 


Name. 

Francis  Allen, 
Thomas  Full, 

Augustus  McClain, 
George  S.  Phillips, 


Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 

18,  Mar.  8 ’62,  Mar.  30  ’64,  re-enlist. 
29,  “ 6 “ “5  ’65,  expiration 

of  service. 

28,  “ 17  “ “ 23  ’64,  re-enlist. 

34,  “ 7 “9  “ 

The  following  named  Rockport  men  served  in  Company  D, 
Fifth  Maine  Regiment,  that  left  Portland  June  26,  1861: 
William  T.  McQuestion,  disch.  for  disability,  Feb.  20 ’62;  died 
on  the  field,  July  26  ’62,  while  acting  as  sutler. 

Otis  W.  Wallace,  died  at  Washington  Oct.  28  ’62. 

Charles  M.  Colburn,  died  Nov.  24  ’62. 

Arthur  Hamblin,  disch.  the  winter  following  muster  in. 
Stillman  L.  Mason,  “ “ “ “ “ “ for  dis- 

ability. 

Lorenzo  D.  Fox,  disch.  Oct.  26  ’62;  died  in  a few  days  after 
reaching  home. 


George  L.  Berry,  killed  at  Salem  Church,  Va.,  May  5 ’63. 
Stephen  A.  Perkins,  served  three  years. 

Henry  W.  Farrow,  “ “ “ 

Albion  Sloman,  “ “ “ 

Thomas  F.  Parsons,  lost  right  arm  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilder- 
ness, May  ’64. 

Horace  Berry,  was  taken  sick  before  the  regiment  left;  he 
afterwards  joined  the  2d  Maine  and  served  three  years. 


1ST  MAINE  BATTERY. 

Daniel  Turner  (of  Rockport),  died  at  New  Orleans,  Aug.  6’6i. 

I9TH  REG’t  (infantry)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS.) 

Name.  Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 

Levi  Shaw,  1st  Lieut.,  50,  Aug.  22  ’61,  Sept.  17  ’62,  disability. 
Isaiah  Leighton,  mus’n.,  29,  Sept.  3 “ Aug.  8 “ order  of 

War  Dept. 


John  P.  Naysen 


26, 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


191 


Name.  Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 

George  W.  Dade,  29,  Sept.  3 ’61,  Dec.  31  ’61,  order  of 

. War  Dept. 

Jeremiah  Harrigan  co.f,  28,  Aug,  28  “ Aug.  28  ’64,  exp.  service 

James  Varney,  Co.  H,  18,  Nov.  1 “ never  left  the  State. 

Michael  O’Brien,  Co.  I,  24,  Aug.  28  “ Sept.  ’64  was  taken 
prisoner  and  confined  at  Andersonville,  escaped  in  April 
’65,  and  was  disch.  by  order  of  War  Dept.  May  23  ’65. 

Charles  C.  Sewall,  18,  Aug.  28  ’61,  June  22  ’62,  wounded; 

disch.  Sept.  23  ’62,  for  disability. 

James  Eldredge,  31,  Aug.  3 ’63,  June  14 ’64,  transferred 

to  20th  Reg’t;  must,  out  July  24,  ’65,  at  exp.  of  service. 

23  D reg’t  (infantry)  3 YEARS. 

Landel  T.  Smith,  age  33;  Co.  C,  must,  in  Oct.  1 ’61;  died  at 
Newbern,  N.  C.,  Sept.  28  ’64. 

24TH  reg’t  (infantry)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 

George  W.  Young,  age  24;  Co.  B,  must,  in  Oct.  14  ’61;  died 
at  Newbern,  N.  C.,  April  21  ’62. 

20th  reg’t  (infantry)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 

John  J.  O’Connell,  Co.  G,  must,  in  Aug,  5 ’63;  died  at  Ander- 
sonville, Nov.  27  ’64. 


30TH  reg’t  (infantry)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS.) 
Company  K. 


Name. 

James  F.  Siders,  Serg’t, 

James  W.  Abbott7 

Eugene  Prior,  Serg’t, 
Charles  P.  Brockelbank, 


Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause 

29,  Dec.  16  ’61,  died  Nov.  16  ’62, 
at  New  Orleans. 
24,  Jan.  14  ’62,  died  Aug.  1 8 ’62,  at 
Baton  Rouge,  La. 
21,  Feb.  4 “ Feb.  1 2 ’64,  re-enlist 

18,  Jan.  3 “ died  Oct.  14  ’62,  at 

Carrolton,  La. 

19,  “ii  “ died  Jan.  16 ’63,  at 

New  Orleans. 


Jabez  W.  Kendall, 


192 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Name.  Age.  Dateof  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 


Henry  F.  McKenney,  Corp 

, 18, 

Jan.  9 

’62  died  Mar.  3 ’63,  at 

Baton  Rouge,  La. 

Benj.  F.  Smith, 

35; 

, “ 6 

“ died  Dec.  20 ’62,  at 

New  Orleans. 

George  H.  Ross,  Corp., 

21, 

Dec.  17 

' ’6i,  drowned  April  29 

’62,  in  Mississippi  River,  La. 

Frank  Wheeler, 

18, 

Jan.  1 

’62,  Feb.  1 1 64,  re-enlist 

Levi  F.  Bailey, 

27, 

“ 4 

u a a a a 

Dudley  G.  Adams,  Serg’t, 

40, 

Dec.  25 

’61,  Mar  10  ’63,  disabil- 

ity. 

Patrick  Allen, 

44, 

“ 18 

“ Oct.  16  ’62,  “ 

Michael  Gallagher, 

44, 

Feb.  6 

’62,  June  5 ’63,  “ 

William  E.  Saunders, 

25, 

Jan.  1 

’62,  Dec.  8 ’62,  “ 

George  S.  Coburn, 

24, 

“ 8 

“ Oct.  16  “ “ 

William  Broomfield, 

22, 

“ 3 

“ Jan.  20  ’65,  expira- 

tion  of 

service. 

Philip  Devoe, 

20, 

a a 

“ Jan.  1 ’64,  re-enlist. 

Wm.  P.  Clark,  3d., 

23, 

“ 7 

u a u a a 

Joseph  Hodgkins, 

18, 

“ 16 

u u a a a 

Archibald  McPhee, 

21, 

“ 20 

a a a a a 

John  B.  Norwood, 

29, 

“ 13 

“ Feb.  1 2 ’66,  “ 

Lyman  R.  Tarr, 

23, 

Dec.  16 

’61,  Jan.  20  ’65,  expira- 

tion  of 

service. 

Addison  Wheeler, 

29, 

Jan.  “ ’ 

62,  Feb.  1 2 ’64,  re-enlist. 

James  Kenney, 

18, 

“ 3 

“ Jan.  1 “ “ 

Juvenal  De  Ornellas, 

25, 

Dec.  16 

’61,  Oct.  i6’62,  disabil- 

. ity. 

3 2D  REG’T  (INFANTRY)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS). 


Company  D. 

Name,  Age.  Date  of  muster.  C iose  of  service,  and  cause. 

Sylvanus  Babson,  Corp.,  21,  Nov.  22  ’61,  Jan.  4 ’64,  re-enlist. 
Andrew  Lane,  Jr.,  “ 21,  " 27  “ Dec.  1 ’64,  expiration 

of  service. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


193 


Name. 

Age.  Date  of  muster.  C iose  of  service,  and  cause. 

Joseph  H.  Wingood, 

1 7,  Nov. 

27 ’61,  Jan.  5 ’64,  re-enlist. 

William  A.  Beals, 

21, 

(< 

29  “ Dec.  1 ’62,  disability. 

Llewellyn  McClain, 

23, 

a 

28  “ Jan.  7 “ “ 

Benjamin  M.  Goday, 

28, 

“ 

25  “ Feb.  14“  “ 

Daniel  M.  Stillman, 
Charles  H.  Burke, 

35, 

21, 

u 

u 

29  “ June  8 ’64,  “ 

22  “ Aug.  27 ’62, 

Charles  D.  Collins, 

29, 

“ 

27  “ Dec.  28  ’64,  exp.  of 
service. 

Andrew  L.  Tarr, 

28, 

a 

28  “ “ “ “ 

Winthrop  Pickering, 

20, 

a 

“ “ Jan.  4 “ re-enlist. 

Eben  Pickering,  Mus’n, 

22, 

a 

2^  <<  a <<  ((  (( 

Walter  Johnson, 

32, 

a 

26  “ Feb.  26  “ “ 

Joseph  H.  Sewall, 

21, 

“ ' 

24  “ Mar.  9 “ “ 

Jacob  A.  Day, 

21 , 

a 

25  “ Jan. 4 “ “ 

George  W.  Gove, 

28, 

u 

21  “ “5  ’62,  disability. 

35TH  reg’t  (infantry)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 
Company  F. 

Name. 

Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 

Alonzo  Low, 

34,  Aug.  19  ’62,  Sept.  1 8 ’63,  died  at 
Camp  Dennison,  O. 

George  Bragdon, 

30, 

IO  “ Nov.  12  62,  disability. 

George  N.  Burnham, 

18, 

n 

19  “ Apr.  1 5 63,  “ 

Newell  Webster, 

20, 

a 

“ “ Aug.  6 ’64,  “ 

George  Holbrook, 

18, 

u 

“ “ Nov.  4 ’63,  “ 

Lyford  Holbrook, 

22, 

u 

“ “ June  9 ’65,  expiration 
of  service. 

James  McClarenw 

36, 

a 

“ “ Mar.  8 ’64,  disability. 

Charles  W.  Beals, 

24, 

a 

“ “ Nov.  21  ’63,  “ 

George  S.  Lowe, 

20, 

u 

“ “ May  2 “ both  feet 
amputated. 

Isaac  B.  Bray, 

22, 

a 

“ “ Nov.  1 2 ’62,  disability; 
wounded  at  Antietam. 

David  Brooks,  Jr., 

22, 

“ 

a u u a a 

Calvin  W.  Pool,  Serg’t., 

28, 

“ “ Feb.  14 ’63,  disability. 

194 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Name.  Age.  Dateof  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause 

Enoch  Anderson,  21,  Aug.  19 ’62,  Jan.  31  63,  disability 

Daniel  A.  Wheeler,  Corp,  23,  “ “ “ April  9 “ “ 

Josiah  F.  Seavy,  27,  “ “ “Nov.  16 ’62,  “ 

Aaron  Hodgkins,  Jr.,  24,  “ . “ “ July  14 ’64,  went  into 

the  navy;  killed  at  Fort  Fisher  Mar.  15  ’65. 


George  Lisk, 


21,  Aug.  19  ’62,  May  21  ’64,  trans- 


ferred to  V.  R.  C;  wounded  at  battle  of  Fredericksburg. 


Addison  W.  Tarr, 


George  Clark,  3d., 


26,  Aug.  19 ’62,  Mar  31  ’64,  trans- 
ferred to  V.  R.  C. 
28,  “ “ “ May  18  ’64,  died  at 

Spottsylvania,  Va. 
“ “ Oct.  19  ’63, 


“ June  9 ’65,  exp. service. 


James  H.  Bingham,  Corp,  19,  “ 

Samuel  Norwood,  22,  “ 

Newell  Davis,  Corp.,  20,  “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ 

Charles  Davison,  Serg’t.,  20,  “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ 

John  Willis,  24,  “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ 

Dennison  Hooper,  20,  “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ 

Henry  S.  Sylvester,  Corp,  21,  “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ 

John  F.  Foster,  33,  “ “ “ Mar.  1 2 ’64,  disability; 

lost  right  arm  at  battle  of  Fredericksburg. 
Solomon  D.  Grimes,  1st.  Serg’t.,  27,  Aug.  19 ’62,  commissioned 
2d.  Lieut.  Nov.  29^4;  June  9 ’65,  exp.  of  service. 

In  July,  1 862,  a call  was  made  upon  the  town  for  twenty-nine 
men.  At  this  time  a sort  of  apathy  hung  over  the  people; 
some  even  said,  “We  can’t  raise  the  men.”  After  a few  days’ 
delay,  a few  men  held  a consultation  in  relation  to  the  state  of 
things.  As  the  results  of  this  consultation,  early  one  evening 
strains  of  martial  music  were  heard  on  our  streets,  the  people 
gathered  in  large  numbers,  and  finally  a halt  was  ordered  on 
Dock  Square..  A meeting  was  organized  by  the  choice  of 
Wm.  Haskins,  chairman.  Rev.  David  Bremner  made  an 
eloquent  and  patriotic  address;  others  spoke  in  the  same  strain. 
At  ten  o’clock  an  adjournment  was  made  to  the  next  evening. 
At  the  time  appointed  the  people  came  together  in  great 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


195 


numbers.  Music  and  speaking  were  in  order.  The  people 
were  awakened.  The  muster  roll  was  next  in  order  and  in  a 
few  days  the  entire  number,  twenty-nine  men,  were  enrolled. 

Religious  services  were  held  in  the  Broadway  Chapel,  the 
evening  previous  to  the  recruits  leaving  for  Camp  Stanton  at 
Lynnfield.  As  they  were  filing  into  the  chapel,  a young  man 
approached  a recruit  and  said  “I  will  give  you  fifty  dollars  for 
your  chance.”  He  did  not  sell  out.  A sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.  David  Bremner  from  the  text,  I Samuel  4:9,  “Be 
strong,  and  quit  yourselves  like  men.”  A full  house,  an  inter- 
esting service. 

Mark  the  change  within  a few  days  by  the  efforts  of  a few 
men  and  the  right  kind  of  music.  Rockport  was  not  sleeping, 
only  halting. 

40TH  reg’t  (infantry)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 

Alvah  Abbott,  age  42;  Co.  B,  must,  in  Aug.  22,  1862;  trans- 
ferred July  2,  1863,  to  V.  R.  C. 


4 1 st  reg’t  infantry  (afterwards  3D  reg’t  cavalry). 
Robert  Hill,  age  22;  Co.  H,  must,  in  Oct.  27,  1862;  — 
Nov.  30,  1862. 


50TH  reg’t  (infantry)  MASS.  VOLS.  (9  MONTHS.) 
Company  B. 


Name. 


Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 


B.  F.  Blatchford,  1st.  Serg’t,  27,  Sept.  1 5 ’62,  Aug.  24’  63,  exp. 


James  Story,  Serg’t., 
Marcus  A.  Hanna,  “ 
David  L.  Tuttle,  Corp., 
George  W.  Dade,  “ 
Edward  C.  Lane,  “ 
James  F.  Tucker,  “ 

John  Beals, 


29,  “ “ 

2 1 , Oct.  9 

30,  Sept.  1 5 


of  service. 
“ “ “ exp.  “ 

ft  if  ft  ft  ft 

ft  ft  ft  if  ft 

tf  ft  it  ft  ft 

ft  if  ft  ft  ft 

“ May  19  ’63,  died  at 
Baton  Rouge. 
“ Aug.  24  ’63,  exp.  of 


service. 


96 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Name. 

Joseph  Beals, 

William  A.  Beals, 

David  P.  Boynton,  Jr., 
died  Nov 


Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service  and  cause. 

44,  Sept.  1 5 ’62,  Apr.  27  ’63,  disa- 
bility7. 

21,  Oct.  29  “ Aug.  24*63,  exp.  of 

service. 

30,  Sept.  15“  “ “ “ exp.  “ 

3 *63,  disease  contracted  in  the  service. 


James  Breen,  Jr., 

1 9,  Sept.  1 5 

’62,  Aug.  24  ’63,  exp.  of 
service. 

Peter  Breen,  Jr., 

23, 

“ “ “ “ exp. " 

Ephraim  Brown, 

" a 

ft  u tt  tt  a tt 

Solomon  Choate, 

22,  “ “ 

it  U it  it  it  it 

Hosea  B.  Clark, 

22  “ “ 

“ Apr.  16  ’63,  died  at 

• 

New  Orleans. 

David  M.  Day, 

42,  ••  “ 

“ Aug.  24  “ exp.  of 
service. 

Joseph  G.  Devou, 

19,  “ “ 

" “ “ “ exp.  “ 

Alvin  F.  El  well. 

38,  “ - 

a tt  a a tt  a 

Thaddeus  Giles, 

tt  if 

a a tt  it  a tt 

William  Goday, 

39,  “ “ 

“ " 20  ’63,  died  at 

Rockport. 

Joseph  A.  Griffin, 

18,  “ “ 

“ “ 24  “ exp.  of 

service. 

William  H.  Grimes, 

->  - ««  «« 
~ J ) 

a ft  ft  ft  a 

Richard  W.  Hill, 

O T “ “ 

ft  a a ft  tt  tt 

Adin  Holbrook, 

^ - tt  tt 

**  Dj 

“ died  of  wounds  Mar. 

19 ’63, 

accidentally  shot  at  La. 

Thomas  Haskins, 

36,  Sept.  1 5 

’62,  died  Mar.  25  ’63. 

John  S.  Knights, 

19,  “ “ 

“ Aug.  24  ’63,  exp.  of 
service. 

Benjamin  F.  Leighton, 

43,  " “ 

if  ft  if  ft  ** 

William  H.  Lowe, 

22  **  M 

- ft  it  ft  ft  if  ft 

John  Mcjannett, 

-Q  it  tt 

3°, 

ft  ft  ft  it  it  ft 

Samuel  Mcjannett,  Jr., 

28,  “ “ 

if  if  ft  tt  ft  ft 

Charles  B.  Morse, 

19.  “ “ 

if  ft  ft  it  tt  if 

HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


97 


Name. 

George  E.  Morse, 
Loring  P.  Patch. 

John  H.  Peach, 
Charles  Pettingill, 
Xath'l.  W.  Pettingill, 

George  H.  Pierce. 
Caleb  X.  Pool, 

John  A.  Pool, 

Rufus  Pool, 

Benj.  F.  Sleeper, 
Solomon  Tarr, 

\Ym.  Tucker,  Jr., 


Age.  Date  of  master.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 

23,  Sept.  1 5 '62,  Aug.  24  63,  exp.  service 
29,  44  44  44  June  3 ’63,  died  at  Baton 

Rouge,  La. 

44,  44  44  44  Aug.  24 ’63,  exp.  sendee. 


20,  44  44  44  May  11  44  died  at  Baton 

Rouge. 

22,  44  44  44  Aug.  2463,  exp.  sendee. 

33>  “ “ “ ‘ 4 “ 

18,  44  44  44  May  2 44  died  at  Baton 

Rouge. 

1 8,  44  44  44  Aug.  24  ’63,  exp.  sendee. 


18,  44  44  44  Feb.  25  *63,  died  at  Quar- 

antine Station,  La. 


Wm.  Tucker,  42,  44  44  4*  Aug.  24*63,  exp.  sendee. 

John  M.  Tuttle,  32,  44  44  4‘  ‘4  

Andrew  P.  Wetherbee,  18,  44  * 44  44  44  44  44 

George  E.  Wheeler,  22,  44  44  44  44  44  44  44 

John  Witham.  36,  44  44  44  44  44  44  44 

Soon  after  the  nine  months*  men  had  departed  for  the  seat 
of  war,  our  quota  was  declared  deficient.  Therefore  the 
following  named  three  years’  recruits  were  enlisted  and  were 
attached  to 


3D  REG*T  (heavy  ARTILLERY  MASS.  YOL5. 

3-  Company  A. 

Name.  Age.  Date  of  muster.  CSose  of  service,  and  cause. 

George  Bragdon,  1st.  Lieut.,  31  Oct.  1 ’63,  Sept.  18  ’65,  exp.  of 

sendee. 

Zeno  A.  Appleton.  2d  “ 38  Dec.  31  ’62,  44  8 ’64,  promoted 

to  1st.  Lieut. 

William  H.  Lane.  Corp.,  24  Jan.  10  *63,  “ 18  '65,  exp.  of 

sendee. 


98 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Name. 


Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 


John  Conley, 

Henry  B.  Daggett,  Serg’t. 

Addison  Haskell’ 
Michael  Knowlton, 

Peter  Manning, 

George  Pool, 

Henry  N.  Pool, 

George  W.  Thurston, 
Samuel  Thurston, 

Joseph  W.  West, 


41,  Jan.  10 ’63,  Jan.  5 ’64,  disability. 

“ “ Sept.  15  ’64,  trans.  to 

navy. 


27, 

18, 

43, 

18, 


May  7 
Jan.  4 
May  7 


“ disability. 
“ transfer’d 
to  navy. 


27,  “ “ “ “ “ 

25,  “ “ “ “ “ 

26,  “ “ “ “ “ 

18,  Mar.  10  u July  25 
36,  Jan.  “ 


“ Sept.  18  '65,  exp.  of 
service. 

At  this  point  volunteering  came  to  a standstill,  waiting  for 
the  draft  soon  to  be  made,  which  speedily  came,  calling  for 
sixty-three  men  from  this  town.  Ninety-four  names  were 
drawn;  of  this  number,  thirty-four  passed  the  examination  and 
paid  the  commutation  fee,  or  furnished  substitutes  at  an 
aggregate  cost  of  $10,610;  eight  enlisted  in  the  3d.  Reg’t., 
Co.  G,  Heavy  Artillery,  3 years,  without  waiting  for  an 
examination,  viz: 


3D  reg’t  (heavy  artillery)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 
Company  G. 


Name. 

Age,  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 

William  P\  Jefferson, 

18,  Oct. 

20  ’63,  Sept.  1 8 ’65,  exp.  service. 

Russell  J.  Boynton,  Jr. 

, 34,  “ 

“ “ July  21  ’64,  died  at  Fort 

Davis,  D.  C. 

Moses  H.  Grimes, 

21,  “ 

“ “ Sept.  1 8- ’65,  exp.  service. 

Theodore  P.  Keene, 

28,  “ 

“ “ Aug.  1 ’64  died  at  Fort 

Davis,  D.  C. 

Charles  Paul,  Jr., 

32,  “ 

“ *’  Sept.  1 8 ’65,  exp,  service. 

Joseph  D.  Paul, 

25,  “ 

a a a a a a u 

Benj.  F.  West, 

27,  “ 

a a a a a a a 

George  Wheeler, 

22,  “ 

HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


199 


Drafting  having  proved  almost  a failure,  in  October,  1863, 
a call  was  made  by  the  President  for  three  hundred  thousand 
volunteers,  of  which  our  quota  was  seventy-nine. 

Immediately  after  the  official  notice  was  received,  a 
subscription  was  solicited  to  aid  recruiting.  P'ive  hundred 
and  thirty-five  dollars  were  collected,  of  the  five  hundred  and 
fifty-two  dollars  subscribed,  and  devoted  to  that  purpose. 

An  order  was  issued  by  the  War  Department,  authorizing 
the  re-enlistment  of  soldiers  in  the  field  who  had  seen  two 
years’  service.  One  of  the  selectmen  (Henry  Dennis)  went  to 
Newbern,  N.  C.,  to  confer  with  our  men  in  the  Seventeenth 
Regiment.  Offers  were  also  made  to  our  men  in  other 
regiments  in  the  field.  These  efforts  and  offers  were  quite 
successful.  Lieut.  Benj.  F.  Blatchford  opened  a recruiting 
office  in  Votary  engine-house  hall  and  aided  the  recruiting 
committee  to  quite  an  extent  in  obtaining  volunteers.  They 
felt  that  some  testimonial  should  be  tendered  him  in  acknowl- 
edgement of  his  services.  Therefore  he  was  presented  with  a 
sword,  sash  and  belt,  which  service  was  done  by  Rev.  Stillman 
Barden,  in  behalf  of  the  committee,  in  a few  well  chosen  words. 
Lieut.  Blatchford’s  response  was  full  of  patriotism  and  loyalty. 
He  highly  appreciated  the  kindness  and  good-will  of  our 
citizens. 

In  the  month  of  February,  1864,  an  additional  call  was 
made  for  two  hundred  thousand  men,  which  brought  our 
quota  up  to  one  hundred  and  fourteen.  The  result  of  answering 
it  was  as  follows. 

5 6th  REC^T  (infantry)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS.) 

Company  B. 

John  N.  Barton,  Corp.,  age  39;  must,  in  Dec.  26  ’63;  disch. 
May  29  ’65,  for  disability. 

John  Collins,  age  35;  must,  in  Feb.  7 ’65;  disch.  June  20  ’65, 
by  order  of  War  Dept. 


200 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


2D  REG’T  (heavy  ARTILLERY)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS). 
Company  K. 

Name.  Age.  Date  of  muster. (’lose  of  service,  and  cause 

Benj.  F.  Blatchford,  28,  Oct.  7 ’63,  Sept.  3 ’65,  exp.  of 

service;  was  com.  1st  Lieut.  June  21  ’65. 
James  Breen,  Jr.,  Serg’t,  20,  Dec.  22  ’63,  Sept.  3 ’65,  exp.  of 

service. 

Marcus  A.  Hanna,  1st  Serg’t,  21,  “ “ “ “ “ exp.  “ 


promoted  to  2d  Lieut.  Apr.  21  ’65 


John  J.  McKenney,  Serg’t, 

21,  Dec.  22  ’63,  Sept.  3 ’65,  exp.  of 

service. 

Seward  Norwood,  Corp., 

3L 

“ “ “ “ “ “ exp.  “ 

John  J.  Fay  (Co.  H) 

18, 

a a a n 44  n a 44 

James  Brown,  Jr., 

38, 

<<  a a ff  44  ft  a 44 

John  Knights  (Co.  H) 

20, 

a a a it  if  n a 44 

Solomon  Knights,  Jr., 

18, 

a ff  ff  ft  44  if  a 44 

Daniel  Mengold, 

38, 

n a a a a.  a a 44 

Freeman  Mitchell,  Jr., 

18, 

a a a a n a a 44 

Albert  Norwood, 

20, 

a a a a 44  a a 44 

Alfred  Norwood, 

21, 

if  a a a 44  a a 44 

Eben  P.  Pool, 

19, 

a a a a 44  *<  a 44 

Rufus  Pool, 

18, 

a a a a 44  <<  a 44 

William  E.  Saunders, 

28, 

<<  <«  a a 44  a a 44 

Charles  C.  Sewall, 

19, 

a a a a 44  a <«  44 

John  Sweeney, 

O T 
w A ) 

a a a a 44  <«  ««  44 

Leonard  Walen,  Jr., 

19, 

“ “ “ May  16 ’65  died  at 

Fortress  Monroe,  Va. 

59TH  reg’t  (infantry) 

MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS.) 

Company  G. 


Nath’l.  Richardson,  Jr.,  age  23;  must,  in  March  4 ’64;  disch. 
Jan.  14  ’65  for  disability. 

Joseph  H.  Hilliard,  age  19;  must,  in  March  4 ’64;  disch.  June 
10  ’65  for  disability. 

Charles  Dellmont,  age  21;  (Co.  D)  must,  in  Feb.  9 ’64. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


201 


VETERANS  RE-ENLISTED. 

3 2D  reg’t  mass.  vols. 

Company  D. 

Name.  Age.  Date  of  muster  C.ose  of  service, and  cause 

Winthrop  Pickering,  23,  Jan.  5 ’64,  June  29  ’65,  exp.  of 

service. 

Eben  Pickering,  Mus’n.,  25,  44  44  44  44  44  44  exp.  44 

Sylvanus  B.  Babson,  Serg’t.,  23,  “ “ “ May  1 8 ’64  killed  at 

Laurel  Hill,  Va. 

Walter  Johnson,  34,  Feb.  27  “ “ 30  ’64  killed  at 

Shady  Grove,  Va. 

Horace  M.  Eaton,  21,  Jan.  5 44  June  29  ’65,  exp.  of 

service. 

Joseph  H.  Sewall,  23,  Mar.  io  4 4 44  20  44  exp.  44 

Joseph  H.  Wingood,  Corp.,  19,  Jan.  5 k4  Apr.  27  44  4 4 4 4 

severely  wounded  in  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  1 2 ’64. 
Company  M. 

Josiah  Walker,  age  21;  must,  in  Dec.  23  ’63;  disch.July  12 
’65,  by  order  of  War  Dept. 

30TH  reg’t  (infantry)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 
Company  K. 

Name.  Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 

Joseph  Hodgkins,  Mus’n,  20,  Jan.  2 ’64,  Jan.  22  ’65 , exp.  service 

Wm.  P.  Clark,  3d,  25,  4 4 4 4 4 4 

Philip  Devou,  22,  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

James  Kenney,.  20,  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 k4 

Eugene  Prior,  1st  Serg’t. ,23,  Feb  1 3 44  k4  25  4k  promoted  to 

2d.  Lieut. 

Archibald  McPhee,  23,  Jan.  2 44  Feb.  27  44  exp.  service. 

Frank  Wheeler,  20,  4 4 4 4 4 4 Sept.  29  ’64  died  of 

wounds,  at  Winchester,  Va. 
Addison  Wheeler,  Serg’t,  3 1 , Feb-i  3 ’64,  July  5 ’66,  exp.  service. 
George  Frost,  Serg’t,  31,  Jan.  2 “ Jan.  20 ’65  4 4 4 4 


202 


HISTORY  OF  R0CKP0RT. 


I/TH  REG’T  (INFANTRY)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS). 

Company  G. 

Name.  Age.  Date  of  muster  Close  of  seivice,  aud  cause. 

George  Elwell,  Serg't,  31.  Jan.  2 ’64;  July  1 1 ’65.  exp.  service. 


\Ym.  H.  Davis,  k 
John  Reeves. 
Hugh  Strain, 
Charles  H.  Gove, 


26.  Dec.  27  ’63, - “ “ 

22,  k*  31  “ June  10  “ “ ‘‘ 

22,  Jan.  2 *64,  July  22 

21,  Dec.  26 ’63,  Sept.  29  ’64  died  at 
Newbern,  N.  C. 

1ST  REG’T  HEAVY  ARTILLERY  (3  YEARS). 

Samuel  F Lefflan,  age  24;  Co.  I,  must,  in  Dec.  7 ’63;  killed 
June  16  '64,  at  St.  Petersburg,  Va. 

Augustus  McClain,  age  30;  Co.  M.  must,  in  March  24  ’64; 

transferred  April  1 ’64  to  navy. 

George  S.  Phillips,  Corp.,  age  34;  Co.  M.  must,  in  March 
10  ’64;  transferred  April  24  ’64,  to  navy. 

We  have  now  succeeded  in  enlisting  fifty-seven  men 
(twenty-five  of  whom  are  veterans  re-enlisted),  one-half  of  our 
quota  of  one  hundred  and  fourteen  under  the  two  calls  of 
300,000  and  200,000.  To  make  up  the  deficiency,  a credit 
was  given  us  of  the  thirty  -four  who  had  furnished  substitutes, 
and  the  eight  that  had  enlisted  without  examination.  A claim 
of  thirteen  men  in  the  navy,  after  much  persistence,  was 
allowed,  thus  satisfying  the  call  within  three.  A contribution 
was  made  by  men  liable  to  draft  and  the  nine  hundred  dollars 
commutation  was  raised  and  paid.  This  completed  the  whole 
number,  one  hundred  and  fourteen  men. 

Hardly  had  we  gotten  over  this,  and  were  hoping  to  enjoy 
a short  respite  from  the  anxiety  consequent  upon  such 
demands,  when  in  July,  1864,  another  call  was  issued  for  three 
hundred  thousand  men.  This  was  the  darkest  period  in  the 
history"  of  recruiting  during  the  war.  Our  quota  on  this  call 
was  seventy-one  How  to  obtain  this  number  was  a serious 
question,  financially  and  mentally.  The  edict  had  gone  forth: 
they"  must  be  furnished  before  the  fifth  of  the  following  Septem- 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


203 

ber.  Recruits  could  be  obtained,  but  at  prices  that  were 
appalling  to  slim  purses  and  towns  of  limited  means.  Yet  an 
effort  must  be  made.  We  entered  the  field  with  competitors 
from  other  towns,  and  they  were  many,  ev  er}’  one  anxious 
and  earnest  to  relieve  the  fears  of  their  constituents. 

To  enable  the  recruiting  committee  to  prosecute  their  work, 
a fund  of  fiv  e thousand  nine  hundred  and  ten  dollars  was  raised 
by  the  payment  of  twenty’  dollars  each  by  those  liable  to  draft. 
This  sum  was  in  addition  to  what  the  town  as  a municipality’ 
would  pay.  This  being  found  insufficient,  a tax  on  those 
who  were  willing  to  pay  was  assessed,  which  realized  the  sum 
of  three  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty7  dollars.  With 
these  sums  the  following  named  men  were  enlisted: 

5TH  REG’t  ( CAVALRY ) MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS). 

George  Davis,  age  34;  Co.  L,  must,  in  Aug.  5 ’64;  disch.  June 
28  ’65,  expiration  of  serv  ice. 

John  Wilson,  age  20;  Co.  B,  must,  in  Aug.  27  •64; 

June  29  "65. 

VETERAN  RESERVE  CORPS  (3  YEARS). 

Amos  K.  Flowers,  age  30;  must,  in  Aug.  18  64;  disch.  Nov. 
16  65  by  order  of  War  Dept. 

Robert  Chisholm,  age  28;  must,  in  Aug.  29  64;  disch.  Nov7.  14 
'65  by  order  of  War  Dept. 

1ST  REG't  (HEAVY  ARTILLERY)  MASS.  V'OLS.  (I  YEAR). 

Michael  Clifford,  age  19;  Co.  B,  must,  in  Aug.  19  64;  disch. 
May  29  '65,  expiration  of  serv  ice. 

4TH  REG  T (HEAVY  ARTILLERY)  MASS.  VOLS.  (i  YEAR). 

> Company  G. 

Name.  Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause 

Matthew  McGraith,  21,  Aug.  19  64,  June  17  65,  exp.  service. 
William  McGraith,  24  44  44  44  44  44  44 

Jeremiah  Murphy,  25  44  23  44  44  44  44  44 

John  Cosgrove,  21  44  19  44  44  44  44  44 

Leon  Derbon,  27  44  23  44  44  44  44  44 

John  W.  Kirby,  19  44  22  44  44  44  44  44 


204 


HISTOR  Y OF  R0CKP0RT. 


Company  I. 


Name . Age . Date  of  muster . Close  of  service,  and  cause . 

Nelson  A.  Mowton,  Serg’t,  20,  Aug.  20*64,  Jan.  5 ’65  appoint- 
ment to  U.  S.  C.  T. 

Wm.  H.  Roberts,  22,  “ “ 4 4 Aug.  23  *64 deserted. 

John  Ward,  21,  4 4 4 4 “June  17  ’65,  exp. of 

service. 


Company  M. 


Name.  Age.  Dale  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 

Joseph  A.  Griffin,  1 8,  Aug.  1 8 *65 , June  1 7 65  exp.  service 

Richard  W.  Hill,  23,  44  23  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

Charles  Knowlton,  Jr.,  37,  “ 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

Melville  H.  Knowlton,  21 , 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

John  G.  Dennis,  3 years  by  substitute. 

Allen  G.  Lane,  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

Edwin  Leighton,  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 


2D  REG’t  (heavy  ARTILLERY)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS). 

Barth  Crowley,  age  21;  Co.  D,  must,  in  Aug.  23  ’64;  disch. 
June  26  *65,  expiration  of  service. 

2D  REG’t  (cavalry)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS). 

William  King,  age  19;  Co.  I,  must,  in  Aug.  31  *64;  disch.  May 
8 *65,  expiration  of  service. 


UNATTACHED  HEAVY  ARTILLERY  (i  YEAR). 

29th.  Company. 

William  M.  Twombly,  Corp.,  age  19;  must,  in  Aug.  30  ’64; 

disch.  June  16  ’65,  expiration  of  service. 

Levi  Appleby,  age  22;  must,  in  Aug.  31  ’64;  disch.  June  16 
’65,  expiration  of  service. 

3D  REG’t  (cavalry)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS.) 

Peter  Rogers,  age  35;  Co.  B,  must,  in  Aug.  29  ’64;  disch. 
Sept.  28  ’65,  expiration  of  service. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


205 


6 1 st  reg’t  (infantry)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 
Company  B. 

Age . Date  of  muster . Close  of  service,  and  cause  . 

41,  Aug.  27  ’64,  June  4 ’65,  exp.  service. 
18,  44  29  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

17,  44  20  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

26,  44  29  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

30,  44  30  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

22  6i  a a a a a a a 


Name . 

Barth  McDonald, 

John  McClellan, 

George  L.  Moller, 

Timothy  O’Brien, 

Stephen  Rowe, 

Thomas  Tuesent, 

John  O’Connell,  Co.  C,  30,  Sept.  2 
Dennis  Buckley,  19,  44  1 

Peter  Donahoe,  22,  44  2 


Mar.  15  ’65,  disability. 
June  4 ’65,  exp.  service. 


2D  BATTERY  LIGHT  ARTILLERY,  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS). 


Name.  Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 

John  Dalton,  21,  Aug.  27  ’64,  June  11  ’65,  exp.  service. 
Michael  Moran,  21,  44  30  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

John  J.  McMahan,  24,  44  29  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

3D  reg’t  (heavy  artillery)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 

Company  M. 

Name.  Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 

Charles  Curtin,  24,  Aug.  26  ’64,  June  17  ’65,  exp.  service. 

Frank  Eaton,  21,  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

Our  means  at  this  time  were  exhausted,  thirty-nine  men 
having  been  furnished,  and  the  committee  were  about  thirteen 
hundred  dollars  in  debt;  our  expectation  was  that  the  state 
would  furnish  twenty-five  per  cent,  of  the  call  and  that,  with 
the  allowance  to  be  made  us  for  our  naval  recruits,  the  demand 
would  be  satisfied.  The  committee  awaited  further  develop- 
ments. 

The  final  summing  up  of  the  affair  in  September,  1864, 
resulted  in  our  having  a surplus  of  twenty-one  men;  the  State 
up  to  this  time  had  furnished  but  two  and  one  representative 
recruit.  The  reason  of  this  surplus  was  the  allowing  of  our 
claim  for  naval  recruits. 

During  the  summer  of  this  year,  1864,  one  hundred  days’ 
men  were  called  for.  We  furnished  eight  as  follows: 


20  6 


HISTORY  OF  R0CKP0RI . 


Name 


8th  reg’t.  (infantry)  MASS.  VOLS.  (ioo  days). 
Company  G. 

Age.  Date  ot  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 


John  Beals, 

I9< 

Benj.  G.  Brooks, 

21 , 

John  F.  Brooks, 

21 , 

Albert  W.  Hale, 

18, 

Ivory  Lane, 

21 , 

George  Rowe, 

19* 

Beaman  Smith, 

18, 

Daniel  W.  Tuttle,  Corp. 

27> 

In  December  of  this  year,  1864,  an  opportunity  offered 
whereby  we  could  secure  some  men  on  our  quota  who  were 
enlisting  in  the  Twenty-fifth  Unattached  Company,  Infantry, 
M.  V.,  one  year,  for  the  town  bounty  (one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  dollars).  We  succeeded  in  obtaining  twenty-three,  viz: 


Name. 

Age.  Date  of  muster. 

Close  of  service,  and  cause. 

Andrew  Anderson, 

35,  Dec.  9 ’64,  J 

une  29  ’65,  exp. 

service 

Hiram  Averill,  Jr., 

18,  Jan.  3 ’65, 

1 1 

“ 

4 4 

i i 

t i 

Charles  Bezansien, 

19,  Dec.  9 ’64, 

“ 

4 4 

i i 

i t 

Alonzo  P.  Carleton, 

21,  “ “ “ 

1 i 

4 4 

k t 

( t 

John  E.  Coggins, 

a u (( 

“ 

4 4 

4 4 

i t 

i ( 

Charles  P.  Day, 

28,  “ " “ 

i 4 

4 4 

4 4 

i t 

6 i 

Eben  Day, 

19,  “ 30  “ 

“ 

4 4 

4 4 

i i 

t 6 

Joseph  Elwell, 

39,  “ 9 “ 

i i 

4 4 

4 4 

i i 

6 i 

George  H.  Friend, 

18,  “ “ “ 

i i 

4 4 

4 4 

i ( 

Charles  H.  Hall, 

18,  Jan.  2 ’65, 

4 4 

t i 

Hervey  Lufkin, 

34,  Dec.  9 ’64, 

“ 

4 4 

i i 

John  McKennon, 

O) 

00 

“ 

4 4 

4 4 

“ 

i t 

Jonathan  G.  McLeod, 

18,  “ 9 “ 

“ 

4 4 

“ 

David  A.  Osier, 

21,  “ “ “ 

“ 

4 4 

“ 

“ 

i i 

Thomas  Owen, 

22,  “ “ “ 

“ 

4 4 

“ 

4 4 

“ 

Joseph  M.  Perkins, 

19,  Jan.  3 ’65, 

“ 

4 4 

“ 

Edward  S.  Ross, 

18,  Dec.  9 ’64, 

i i 

4 4 

4 4 

William  S.  Snow, 

43>  “ H “ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

Charles  Tibbetts, 

24,  “ 9 “ 

i t 

Thomas  Wallace, 

28,  “ 29  “ 

4 4 

i i 

t i 

HISTORY  OF  ROCKFORT. 


207 


Name,  Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 

James  H.  Wilkins,  2 1 , Dec.  9 ’64,  June  29,  ’65 , exp.  service. 
Howard  Elwell,  Mus’n.,  19,  “ “ “ 44  44  44  44  44 

Benj.  F.  Perkins,  21,  Jan.  3 ’65,  44  44  44  44  4 4 

He  was  in  the  Twenty-seventh  Unattached. 

We  were  credited  for  seven  and  two-thirds  three  years’  men. 
Government  had  decided  to  give  credit  on  the  basis  of  a three 
years’  term;  thus  three  one  year’s  men  would  count  only  as 
one  man.  We  were  still  deficient,  as  decided  by  the  provost- 
marshal,  of  twelve  men,  or  thirty-six  one  year’s  men.  To 
meet  this  deficiency,  a fund  of  two  thousand  dollars  was  raised 
by  the  men  liable  to  draft,  in  order  to  procure  the  men.  With 
this  money  we  continued  to  enlist  recruits  until  the  latter  part 
of  March,  1865,  though  we  had  provided  more  than  our  just 
quota.  But  having  money  on  hand  it  was  concluded  best  to 
keep  on  the  credit  side;  in  case  of  future  emergency  we  would 
be  ready  to  meet  the  call. 

The  following  is  the  final  result,  viz  the  enlistment  of  twenty- 
nine  men,  as  follows: 

VETERAN  RESERVE  CORPS,  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS.) 

Charles  M.  Wilkinson,  age  43;  must,  in  Dec.  5 ’64;  disch. 
Nov.  30  ’65  by  order  of  War  Dept. 

4TH  REGT  (cavalry)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS). 

Fred  L.  Orcut,  age  20;  Co.  C,  must,  in  March  4 ’65;  died 
March  13  ’65,  on  Str.  Blackstone. 

1ST  BATTALION  HEAVY  ARTILLERY,  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS) 

Company  B. 

Christopher  C.  Williams,  21,  Dec.  2 ’64,  June  29*65  exp.  service 
Louis  H.  Williams,  18,  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

Samuel  Johnson,  33,  Nov  29 44  Oct.  20  4 4 4 4 4 4 

6th  battery  light  artillery,  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 
Brewer  F.  Randall,  age  22;  must,  in  Dec.  3 ’64;  disch.  Aug. 
7 ’65,  exp.  of  service. 

James  Dorgan,  age  19;  must,  in  Dec.  3 ’64:  disch.  Aug.  7 ’65, 
exp.  of  service. 


208 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


56th  reg’t  (infantry)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 
Company  B. 

John  Collins,  age  35;  must,  in  Feb.  7 ’65;  disch.  June  20  ’65 
by  order  of  War  Dept. 

Daniel  Meagher,  age  35;  must,  in  March  15  ’65;  disch.  July 
26  ’65  by  order  of  War  Dept. 

3 1 ST  reg’t  (infantry)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS.) 
Company  B. 

John  O’Donnell,  age  30;  must,  in  Feb.  9 ’65;  Feb.  9 ’65, 
rejected  recruit. 

Charles  Hartman,  age  41,  must,  in  Feb.  24  ’65;  disch.  Sept. 
9 ’65,  exp.  of  service. 

19TH  reg’t  (infantry)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 
Christian  Zeh,  age  38;  Co.  E,  must,  in  Feb.  18  ’65;  disch. 
June  3 ’65,  exp.  of  service. 

24TH  reg’t  (infantry)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 
Michael  J.  Burke,  Co.  E,  age  18;  must,  in  Feb.  23  ’65;  disch. 
Jan.  20  ’66,  exp.  of  service. 

2D  reg’t  (cavalry)  MASS.  VOLS.  (3  YEARS). 

Name.  Age.  Date  of  muster.  Close  of  service,  and  cause. 


Timothy  Connor  (Co.  F)  21,  Feb.  1 8 ’65,  July  20 ’65  exp.  of 

service. 

Bernard  McQuade  (Co.  M)  27,  44  9 4 4 4 4 4 4 “exp. 44 

Chas.  A.  Cummings  (Co.  G)  23,  Mar.  16  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

Patrick  McCann  1 yr  (Co.  D)  29,  44  13  4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

Thomas  Hickey  1 yr  (Co.  C)  18,  44  1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 

6 1ST  REGT  (infantry)  MASS.  VOLS.  (i  YEAR). 
Company  H. 

Timothy  Allman,  age  28;  must,  in  March  1 ’65,  disch.  July 
16  ’65,  exp.  of  service. 

Theodore  C.  Weld,  age  18;  must,  in  March  8 ’65;  died  May 
22  ’65  at  Alexandria,  Va. 

I4TH  BATTERY  LIGHT  ARTILLERY,  MASS.  VOLS. 

Wm.  Campbell,  age  24;  must,  in  March  1 ’65;  disch.  June  15 
’65,  exp.  of  service. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


209 


James  Dunney,  age  21;  must,  in  March  6 ’65;  disch.  June  15 
’6 5,  exp.  of  service. 

13TH  reg’t,  mass,  vols.,  (3  years). 

Robert  Topping,  age  21;  must,  in  March  17  ’65;  disch.  July 
28  ’6 5,  exp.  service. 

62D  reg’t  (infantry)  mass.  vols.  (i  year). 

Henry  B.  Sprague,  1st.  Serg’t.,  age  33;  Co.  B,  must,  in  March 
16  ’65;  disch.  May  5 ’65,  exp.  service. 

James  Lovery,  age  30;  Co.  A,  must,  in  March  14  ’65;  disch. 
May  5 ’65,  exp.  of  service. 

30TH  reg’t  (infantry)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 
Company  G. 

Willis  G.  Merrill,  age  18;  must,  in  March  10 ’65;  disch.  March 

10  ’66,  exp.  of  service. 

Samuel  P.  Dow,  age  19;  must,  in  March  10  ’65;  disch.  March 
9 ’66,  exp.  of  service. 

5 5th  reg’t  (infantry)  mass.  vols.  (3  years). 

Andrew  Williams,  age  23;  must,  in  March  11  ’65;  disch.  May 
15  ’65,  exp.  of  service. 

U.  S.  VETERAN  (HANCOCK  CORPS). 

Patrick  Kenney,  age  30;  must,  in  March  14  ’65;  disch.  March 

1 1 ’66. 


Navy  recruits , as  follows: 


Michael  Allen, 
Patrick  Allen, 
George  Cleaves, 
Moses  H.  Cleaves, 
John  Griffin, 

Alfred  Goday, 
Charles  Haskell,  3d., 
Benj.  Y.  Jacobs, 


Gunboat  “Brooklyn.” 

6 i a 

Master’s  Mate. 

a a 

“Delaware.” 

- Steamer  “Boxer.” 

- “Jas.  S.  Chambers.” 
- Master’s  Mate,  “Housatonic.” 


210 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKPORT. 


Henry  M.  Lowe,  - 
Arthur  T.  Parsons, 
Thomas  Parsons, 
James  Pool, 

Charles  E.  Pool,  - 

- Paymaster’s  Clerk. 
Ensign,  “Cherokee.” 

- Gunboat  “Guard.” 

“Brooklyn.” 

“Scioto.” 

Alvin  Smith,  Gunboat  “Southfield,”  Frigate  “Roanoke.” 

James  H.  Stillman,  - “Roebuck.” 

Robert  Tarr,  Pro.  to  Lieut.  Commanding  “Isaac  Smith”  and 
Gunboat  “Queen.” 

Aaron  Hodgkins,  Jr.,  - Killed  at  Fort  F'isher,  Colorado. 


Charles  Pettingill. 
Lawrence  Griffin, 
John  O’Brien, 

Died  April  16,  1863. 
- Died  at  Key  West,  Nov.  26,  1862. 

Wm.  N.  Tarr,  - - Died  at  Memphis,  May  15,  1863. 

Thomas  A.  Knowlton. 


Solomon  Knights. 
Henry  C.  Robinson, 
Thomas  Wentworth. 

Ensign. 

Levi  Hill, 

Died  at  New  Orleans,  April  11,  1864. 

George  McLane,  _____  “Tahoma.’ 
Addison  Pool,  Asst.  Paymaster’s  Mate,  Monitor,  “Mahopac.” 
Francis  W.  Stewart. 


John  Scanlan, 
Michael  Timmeny, 
Michael  Welch,  - 
Thomas  H.  Welch, 

“Pursuit;” 

- “Portsmouth.” 

“Pensacola.” 

- “Cumberland.” 

Wm.  Caldwell,  Jr.,  Ensign,  Steamer  “May  Sanford,” ‘Mahopac.’ 


John  Porter, 
James  Parsons. 
Asa  F.  Sanborn. 

Died  at  Philadelphia,  Dec.  2,  1861. 

Wm.  Pool,  3d., 

On  board  the  Cumberland  when  sunk. 

Wm.  Wingood,  Jr.,  Ensign,  Was  at  the  capture  of  Mobile, 
“Ossipee.” 

Calvin  W.  Pool,  Paymaster’s  Steward,  Monitor  “Mahopac.” 
George  Hodgkins, “Penobscot.” 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORI . 


211 


The  whole  number  of  men  furnished  by  the  town  for  the 
army  was  three  hundred  and  fifty-eight;  for  the  navy,  forty-one; 
total,  three  hundred  and  ninety-nine.  Commissioned  officers 
in  the  navy  as  indicated.  Eleven  commissioned  officers  in 
the  army.  Forty-two  were  killed  in  battle  or  died  of  wounds 
or  disease. 

The  adjutant-general,  in  his  report  for  the  year  1865,  says 
Rockport  furnished  sixty-three  men  more  than  its  quota. 

The  cost  to  the  town  for  enlistment  under  the  several  calls 


was  ------  $29,094.80 

Already  been  assessed  and  reimbursed  by  the  state,  1 5,000.00 

Balance,  ______  14,094.80 

Contributed  by  individuals,  - - - 13,185.00. 

Paid  by  drafted  men  in  1863,  - - 10,610.00 

Paid  by  individuals  for  substitutes,  - - 1,535.00 


$39,424.80 

On  the  11th.  day  of  August,  1863,  thirty-six  members  of 
Co.  B,  Fiftieth  Regiment  of  Infantry,  arrived  home.  This  was 
a nine  months’  regiment  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  of 
the  United  States,  at  Camp  Stanton,  Boxford,  on  the  1.5th.  day 
of  November,  1862,  and  left  camp  for  the  seat  of  war  on  the 
19th.  day  of  the  same  month.  This  regiment  did  good  service 
at  New  Orleans,  Port  Hudson  and  at  other  points.  Forty-nine 
Rockport  men  enlisted  in  Co.  B;  nine  were  killed  in  battle  or 
died  from  wounds  or  disease;  forty  were  spared.  Thirty-six 
returned  together- and  were  given  a fitting  welcome  by  our 
citizens.  The  next  day  after  their  arrival,  they  marched  over 
some  of  the  public  streets,  then  formed  in  line  in  the  Congre- 
gational church  yard.  At  9 o’clock  A.  M.,  prayer  was  offered 
by  Rev.  Wakefield  Gale.  Capt.  Josiah  Haskell  tendered  an 
address  of  welcome.  Benj.  H.  Smith,  Esq.,  a former  citizen, 
spoke  a few  well  chosen  words.  He  was  followed  by 
Ex-President  Franklin  Pierce,  then  spending  a few  weeks  at 


212 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Pigeon  Cove,  who  spoke  words  of  cheer.  Rev.  Stillman  Barden 
addressed  them  in  his  happiest  vein.  At  eleven  A.  M.,  the 
returned  soldiers  and  invited  guests  marched  to  Votary  engine 
house  hall,  where  an  excellent  collation  was  provided  by  the 
citizens,  to  which  our  soldiers  and  guests  were  cordially  invited 
and  welcomed.  The  hour  was  happily  spent  in  testing  the 
viands  and  in  social  conversation.  It  was  pleasant  both  to 
soldiers  and  citizens. 

This  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the  service,  at  Wenham, 
on  the  24th.  inst. 

What  joy  filled  every  loyal  heart  on  that  April  day  (1865) 
when  the  news  “Gen’l.  Robert  E.  Lee,”  in  command  of  the 
Rebel  forces,  “has  surrendered  to  Gen’l.  U.  S.  Grant,” 
commander  of  the  Union  troops,  was  heralded  on  lightning 
wings  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  our  beloved  land, 
thus  virtually  terminating  this  cruel  war;  the  Union  saved  and 
we  destined  to  become  a united  and  happy  people,  the  procuring 
cause  of  this  wrar,  slavery,  being  now  dead  and  buried  past 
resurrection. 

How  soon  was  joy  turned  to  mourning  as  the  sad  news  fell 
upon  our  ears,  on  the  morning  of  the  fifteenth  day  of  April: 
“Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  these  United  States,  shot  by 
Wilkes  Booth,  on  the  evening  of  April  14th.  at  ten  o’clock.” 
He  died  at  twenty  minutes  past  seven,  the  next  morning. 

On  Wednesday,  the  19th.  inst.,  by  proclamation  of  His 
Excellency  John  A.  Andrew,  Governor,  all  of  the  towns  and 
cities  ot  the  Commonwealth  were  requested  to  hold  a funeral 
service  in  memory  of  the  great  and  good  man  so  suddenly 
stricken  down  by  the  hand  of  the  assassin.  During  the  day 
flags  were  displayed  at  half  mast;  at  noon  the  church  bells 
were  tolled.  A general  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  in  the 
Congregational  meeting-house  which  was  appropriately  draped 
in  mourning.  A large  and  attentive  audience  was  present. 
An  appropriate  hymn  was  sung  by  a choir;  an  impressive 
prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Wakefield  Gale;  selections  of 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKFORT. 


213 


Scripture  were  read  by  Rev.  A.  B.  Wheeler  of  the  Methodist 
Church;  an  interesting  and  appropriate  address  was  delivered 
by  Rev.  L.  H.  Angier  of  the  Second  Cong’l.  Church,  (no  other 
pastors  in  town).  The  address  was  well  arranged  and  was 
eloquently  and  feelingly  delivered.  The  benediction  was  then 
pronounced  and  the  meeting  closed.  The  19th.  day  of  April, 
1865,  was  truly  a day  of  sadness  to  all  loyal  hearts;  but  even 
in  loyal  states  all  did  not  mourn.  This  is  the  exception,  not 
the  rule;  perhaps  it  is  better  to  pity  than  to  blame. 


214 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


Heavy  Gale  and  Loss  of  Life. 

On  the  8th.  day  of  September,  1869,  commencing  about 
noon  and  continuing  until  midnight,  the  eastern  Atlantic  coast 
was  visited  with  a terrific  gale  of  wind  from  the  E.  S.  E.  Many 
fruit  and  ornamental  trees  were  uprooted,  others  were  stripped 
of  their  foliage  and  branches.  Great  damage  was  done  to 
shipping  and  many  lives  were  lost.  Five  vessels  went  ashore 
at  Gloucester  harbor;  one  other  was  dismasted  and  rode  out 
the  gale. 

The  fishing  schooner  Helen  Eliza,  of  this  port,  Edward  J. 
Millett  master,  went  ashore  on  Peak’s  Island,  near  Portland 
harbor,  and  soon  went  to  pieces  and  of  a crew  of  twelve  men, 
but  one,  Charles  Jordan,  was  saved.  The  lost  were:  Edward 
J.  Millett,  who  left  a widow  and  two  children;  Emerson  Colby, 
left  a widow  and  five  children;  Frederic  T.  Lane  left  a widow, 
as  did  David  B.  Harris  and  George  Wood;  Albert  Tarr,  Joel 
Fairbanks,  Benjamin  Lurvey,  Charles  H.  Clark,  James  Bray, 
George  W.  Clark  were  unmarried.  All  of  these  men  belonged 
in  this  town,  except  Lane  who  belonged  in  Gloucester.  Seven 
of  these  bodies  were  recovered  and  were  brought  here  for 
burial.  Four  were  buried  from  the  Congregational  meeting- 
house at  one  time.  The  funeral  service  was  performed  by  the 
Rev.  James  W.  Cooper,  pastor  of  the  church.  The  house 
was  filled  with  an  attentive  audience;  the  service  was  solemn 
and  impressive. 

The  following  is  a condensed  account  of  the  disaster,  as 
given  by  Jordan.  During  the  latter  part  of  the  forenoon  of 
Sept.  8th.  the  weather  looked  threatening  and  Capt.  Millett 
proposed  to  make  for  Portland  harbor.  The  first  land  we 
made  was  Ram  Island.  During  the  afternoon  a thick  fog  set 
in  and  was  followed  by  a perfect  deluge  of  rain;  the  wind 
increased  to  almost  a hurricane.  We  came  to  in  the  wind 
and  dropped  both  anchors;  our  cables  soon  parted.  We  then 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


put  the  schooner  under  close  reefed  sail,  the  jib  was  soon 
blown  out  of  the  bolt  rope.  We  made  Portland  lights  and 
concluded  to  run  for  the  harbor,  but  found  ourselves  too  far 
to  the  eastward  to  reach  the  channel.  There  seemed  no  earthly 
help  for  us.  Both  anchors  gone,  a perfect  hurricane  raging, 
and  a tremendous  sea,  there  seemed  but  little  doubt  that  our 
vessel  must  go  on  the  shore  of  Peak’s  Island.  The  prospect 
was  gloomy  but  our  crew  were  undaunted  and  each  one  did 
his  best.  Capt.  Millett  stood  at  the  helm  to  the  very  last.  In 
all  probability  he  received  a blow  from  the  main-boom,  which 
caused  his  death.  Soon  the  schooner  struck  heavily  upon  the 
shore  and  stove  her  bow,  by  which  five  of  the  crew  lost  their 
lives.  Soon  the  sea  ripped  up  the  schooner’s  deck.  Jordan 
had  divested  himself  of  the  most  of  his  clothing.  He  was  an 
expert  swimmer  and  prepared  to  battle  with  the  waves.  He 
was  washed  over-board  but  regained  the  wreck.  He  finally, 
with  the  aid  of  an  empty  barrel,  succeeded  in  reaching  the 
shore.  It  was  with  great  effort  that  he  climbed  up  the  rugged 
side  of  ledge  upon  which  he  landed;  after  gaining  that  position 
he  soon  found  that  he  was  not  on  the  main-land,  but  a channel 
was  between  that  and  him.  Soon  after  he  reached  the  ledge 
he  heard  some  one  call  his  name:  he  answered,  but  there  was 
no  response.  After  a slight  rest  he  found,  as  it  was  flood  tide, 
he  must  make  an  effort  to  reach  the  main-land.  He  again 
took  to  the  water  and  after  battling  with  the  sea  by  almost 
superhuman  efforts  he  reached  the  island.  His  next  efforts 
were  to  seek  some  habitation.  While  making  his  way  over 
the  island,  he  was  precipitated  down  an  embankment  into  a 
fresh  water  pontl;  he  finally  succeeded  in  crossing  the  pond 
and  landed  in  a bog,  over  which  he  finally  forced  himself  and 
through  a thicket  of  brambles,  and  found  a pathway  that  led 
him  to  the  residence  of  Mr.  Smith  Holbrook.  The  inmates 
were  unremitting  in  their  attentions,  furnishing  him  clothing 
and  every  possible  comfort.  After  a short  rest  and  refreshment 
he  accompanied  a party  of  the  residents  of  the  island  to  the 


2l6 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


shore  to  look  for  the  bodies  of  the  dead.  Mr.  Jones,  the 
landlord  of  the  hotel,  was  very  kind  and  provided  him  with  a 
free  pass  home;  the  residents  of  the  island,  though  poor  fish- 
ermen, made  him  a purse  of  eighteen  dollars.  At  the  depot 
in  Portland,  eleven  dollars  were  raised  in  his  behalf.  The 
mayor  of  the  city  paid  him  kind  attention.  Mr.  Jordan,  on 
his  arrival  home,  expressed  great  gratitude  for  the  kindness 
he  had  received  at  the  hands  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in 
contact. 

This  is  the  third  time  that  he  was  the  sole  survivor  of  his 
associates.  During  the  Civil  War,  he  with  quite  a company 
was  cast  into  Libby  prison.  Of  his  whole  company  he  alone 
lived  to  reach  home.  He  was  once  shipwrecked  on  Cape  Cod 
and  of  the  ship’s  company  of  thirty  men  he  alone  was  saved. 
But  finally  he  was  employed  by  the  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad 
as  bridge  tender  over  the  Charles  River  and  was  struck  by  a 
passing  train,  causing  an  injury  which  he  survived  but  two 
weeks.  Thus  terminated  an  eventful  life.  He  left  a widow 
and  two  children.  His  widow  was  a native  of  this  town;  he 
came  from  South  Paris,  Me. 

The  Helen  Eliza  was  33.63  tons,  was  built  at  Essex,  was 
owned  by  Capt.  Millett  and  others  and  insured  in  the  Gloucester 
Mutual  office,  for  $1050. 

The  schooner  “Yankee  Girl”  was  in  the  same  vicinity  and 
encountered  the  same  gale,  but  was  never  heard  from.  She 
had  a crew  of  eleven  persons,  seven  of  whom  belonged  to 
Rockport.  The  list  is  as  follows:  Clifton  Atwood,  master,  left 
a widow  and  two  children;  Horace,  another  son,  eleven  years 
of  age,  was  lost  with  him;  Freeman  and  Henry  Abbott, 
brothers,  the  former  left  a widow  and  one  child;  Henry  was 
unmarried,  so  also  were  Alfred  Giles,  Thomas  Williams, 
David  A.  Elwell,  and  James  Cann  of  Rockland,  Me.  James 
Kellogg  of  Maine  left  a widow  and  one  child;  Isaac  Forrester 
was  of  East  Boston  and  another  man  from  Maine,  name  not 
known.  The  “Yankee  Girl”  was  26.12  tons,  built  at  Gloucester 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT 


217 


in  1857  and  was  valued  at  $3800,  one-half  of  which  was  insured 
at  the  Rockport  office.  She  was  owned  by  Wm.  H.  Bradley 
and  others. 

Other  casualties  were:  Sch.  “Franklin  D.  Schenck”  lost 
masts  and  jibboom,  rode  out  the  gale  and  was  then  towed 
into  Portland  harbor.  Fred  Brown,  one  of  the  crew,  had  his 
arm  badly  injured.  Sch.  “Neptune”  lost  foresail,  anchor  and 
cable.  Sch.  “Charles  Frederick”  lost  mainsail  and  jib.  Sch. 
“Rockaway”  lost  foresail  and  anchors.  Sch.  “Rebecca  N. 
Atwood”  lost  fifteen  barrels  of  mackerel,  cable  and  anchors. 
Sch.  “Sparkling  Billow”  lost  cable  and  anchors.  Sch.  “E.  N. 
Williams”  lost  foresail  and  had  bulwarks  stove.  Sch.  “Lizzie 
D.  Saunders”  was  knocked  down  by  a sea,  lost  thirty  barrels 
of  mackerel  and  split  her  sails.  Sch.  “Sea  Breeze”  lost  seine- 
boat.  Sch.  “Cora  Lee”  lost  foresail. 

The  foregoing  account  proves  this  to  have  been  one  of  the 
most  disastrous  gales  that  ever  visited  this  eastern  coast.  Its 
results  cast  gloom  and  sadness  over  this  entire  community. 
Mr.  James  Rowe  Rescues  Three  Young  Men  From  Drowning. 

On  the  22d.  day  of  October,  1869,  Mr.  Rowe  was  on  board 
his  dory  out  in  the  bay,  tending  his  nets.  Directly  his  eye 
caught  sight  of  a sinking  boat  and  three  young  men.  With 
him  it  was  but  the  work  of  a moment  to  clear  his  dory  from 
the  nets,  and  bending  to  his  oars  with  almost  superhuman 
strength  and  effort,  he  was  soon  at  the  post  of  danger  and 
succeeded  in  rescuing  the  three  young  men  from  a watery 
grave.  They  were  George  L.  and  Jabez  E.,  sons  of  Newell 
and  Elizabeth  Giles,  and  George,  son  of  Edwin  and  Patience 
Paul.  For  this  humane  act  he  is  ever  held  in  grateful  remem- 
brance. At  the  time  of  this  rescue  he  was  sixty-eight  years  of 
age. 

The  Massachusetts  Humane  Society  for  this  humane  and 
skilful  service  awarded  him  a diploma  elegantly  framed. 

Mr.  Rowe  died  on  the  thirtieth  day  of  November,  1887, 
aged  eighty-six  years,  a venerable  citizen,  an  industrious  man. 


2 I 8 


HISTORY  OF  R0CKP0R1. 


The  later  years  of  his  life  he  received  a pension  from  the  U. 
S.  government,  for  service  in  the  war  of  1812 — 15. 

Pemberton  Mill. 

Many  of  our  citizens  remember  the  great  catastrophe,  the 
destruction  of  the  Pemberton  mill  at  Lawrence.  At  about  five 
o’clock  P.  M.,  on  the  10th.  day  of  January,  i860,  the  building 
was  standing,  as  it  were,  in  perfect  outline.  The  next  moment 
the  flooring  and  walls  gave  way  and  all  was  a mass  of  ruins, 
with  some  six  hundred  operatives  buried  therein.  Three  of 
our  citizens,  viz:  Hannah,  daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Hannah 
Brown;  Viola  and  Lucy  Ann,  daughters  of  Russell  J.  and 
Mary  Boynton,  were  among  the  number  and  were  rescued 
unharmed,  though  there  were  eighty-six  killed  and  forty-three 
seriously  injured. 

Two'  of  our  promising  young  men,  David  S.,  aged  twenty 
years,  son  of  John  B.  and  Patience  Parsons,  and  Charles  H., 
aged  eighteen  years,  son  of  Reuben  and  Lucinda  Dade,  were 
drowned  by  the  upsetting  of  their  boat,  in  the  vicinity  of  Milk 
Island,  on  the  first  day  of  March,  1865.  The  body  of  Dade 
was  found. 

Manufacture  of  Isinglass. 

The  manufacture  of  isinglass  from  hake  sounds  was 
commenced  at  Sandy  Bay  by  William  Hall,  who  came  here 
from  Boston  in  1822.  This  was  the  commencement  of  this 
industry  in  the  United  States.  His  place  of  business  was  the 
two-story  fish-house  farthest  towards  the  end  of  Bearskin  Neck, 
north-west  side.  He  paid  for  the  sounds  from  three  to  five 
cents  per  pound.  Previous  to  this  they  were  of  no  account, 
and  were  left  with  other  fish  offal  to  rot  in  the  gutter.  He 
cleaned  and  dried  them  and  by  the  use  of  wooden  rollers  and 
hand  labor,  at  from  forty  to  fifty  cents  per  day,  formed  them 
into  ribbons  similar  to  those  of  to-day,  though  not  so  thin  or 
of  so  good  quality  as  the  product  of  the  present  day.  He 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


219 


obtained  a patent  and  continued  the  manufacture  a few  years, 
then  it  went  into  the  hands  of  Jabez  Rowe,  Wm.  Norwood 
and  others.  They  operated  separately  awhile,  finally  organized 
the  Sandy  Bay  Isinglass  Co.  This  company  had  sole  control 
of  the  business  a number  of  years.  Iron  rollers  were  soon 
substituted  for  wood;  then  next  came  horse  power  instead  of 
hand,  then  after  a few  years  steam  took  the  place  of  horse. 
This  company  continued  in  business  until  1 876,  when  it  became 
financially  embarassedand  closed  its  affairs.  There  are  now, 
and  have  been  for  some  years  past,  in  town,  the  Cape  Ann 
Isinglass  Co.  and  Haskins  Bros.’  Caleb  J.  Norwood,  a native 
of  Rockport,  is  pursuing  the  same  business  at  Ipswich.  We 
learn  that  they  each  manufacture  a good  article  and  meet  with 
fair  success.  These  several  manufactories  give  employment 
to  some  one  hundred  or  more  persons. 

Injuries  Alleged  to  have  been  Sustained  by  Persons,  from 
Defective  Highways , and  the  Cost  to  the  Town. 

During  the  year  1869,  the  Hartwell  and  Babson  case  that 
had  been  pending  before  the  Court  about  two  years,  was 
brought  to- a final  verdict,  at  a cost  to  the  town  of  about 
$9526.84.  This  was  a case  where  the  parties,  Mr.  J.  E. 
Hartwell  and  Miss  Adelia  Babson,  were  out  for  a drive,  when, 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  Babson  Farm,  from  some  cause  the  horse 
became  unmanageable.  Mr.  Hartwell  alighted  from  the 
carriage  and  attempted  to  control  the  horse,  but  notwithstanding 
all  his  efforts,  the  'horse  backed  the  carriage,  in  which  was 
Miss  Babson,  through  an  opening  in  the  wall  by  the  roadside, 
that  was  built  to  protect  the  travel.  This  opening  was  just 
wide  enough  to  admit  the  carriage.  Thus  carriage.  Miss 
Babson  and  horse  went  down  a steep  and  craggy  embankment. 
Miss  Babson  and  Mr.  Hartwell  claimed  to  be  seriously  injured; 
therefore  a suit  against  the  town  was  instituted,  with  the  above 
named  results. 

In  the  year  1873,  Mr.  Ambrose  Hodgkins  brought  suit 


220 


HISTORY  OF  R0CKP0R1 . 


against  the  town  for  an  alleged  injury  by  him  sustained  by  his 
crutch  getting  into  a hole  in  a culvert  stone  on  School  Street, 
near  the  junction  of  Broadway.  He  had  been  lame  fora 
number  of  years  and  was  obliged  to  use  a crutch.  An  amicable 
settlement  failed  to  be  made  between  the  town  and  Mr. 
Hodgkins,  hence  the  suit  before  the  Court,  which,  in  1875, 
resulted  in  a verdict  in  favor  of  the  plaintiff  of  $1 194.57*  total 
cost  to  the  town  of  $1623.57. 

In  the  year  1879,  Jacob  Goldsmith  claimed  that  he  was 
injured  by  a defect  in  the  highway,  Main  Street,  near  the 
junction  of  Pool’s  Lane.  There  was  a difference  of  opinion 
between  the  town  and  the  claimant  as  to  the  justice  of  his 
claim.  Therefore  Goldsmith  commenced  a suit  which  resulted 
in  a verdict  in  his  favor,  in  1880,  of  $550.  The  total  cost  to 
the  town  was  $624. 

The  foregoing  are  the  only  suits  that  have  been  brought 
against  the  town  since  its  incorporation,  on  account  of  injury 
sustained  by  person  or  property  on  account  of  defective 
highways.  Several  cases  where  small  amounts  have  been 
claimed,  and  which  have  seemed  reasonable,  have  been  settled 
without  litigation. 

It  behooves  the  inhabitants  of  every  town  to  have  an  interest 
in  keeping  the  highways  in  safe  condition. 

Donation  to  the  Town  by  David  Kimball  Esq.,  of  Boston. 

Boston,  March  1st.  1867. 

“To  the  Selectmen: 

Being  desirous  of  presenting  to  my  native  town  a testimony 
of  remembrance,  I respectfully  tender  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Rockport  in  its  corporate  capacity,  in  trust,  sixty 
shares  of  the  capital  stock  of  the  Sandy  Bay  Pier  Company, 
as  a permanent  fund,  the  income  thereof  to  be  expended 
annually  forever  for  the  following  purposes,  and  in  the  manner 
following,  to  wit:  The  income  of  fifty  shares  shall  be 

distributed  by  the  selectmen  for  the  time  being,  at  their 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


22 


discretion,  to  such  of  the  American  born  inhabitants  as  are 
sick  or  infirm,  who  are  unable  to  procure  the  comforts  needful 
to  their  situation.  No  part  of  this  fund,  or  its  income,  shall 
ever  be  used  for  the  relief  of  those  who  are  supported  or 
assisted  by  the  town. 

The  income  from  the  remaining  ten  shares  shall  be  paid 
annually  to  those  having  the  charge  and  oversight  of  the 
public  schools  to  be  by  them  expended  for  the  purchase  of 
books  to  be  given  as  prizes  to  the  most  deserving  scholars. 
It  is  my  wish  that  the  prizes  may  be  distributed  in  all  classes, 
to  the  lowest  as  well  as  the  highest,  and  not  confined  to  the 
most  talented  and  advanced  scholars,  but  also  given  to  such 
as  distinguish  themselves  by  their  good  behavior  and  who 
manifest  a desire  to  improve,  though  less  gifted  by  nature. 

Very  respectfully,  Yours  & c., 

DAVID  KIMBALL.” 

At  a meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Rockport  qualified  to 
vote  in  Town  affairs,  held  March  4th.  1867, 

Article  30th.  of  the  warrant  being  under  consideration,  which 
article  was  as  follows;  to  wit: 

“To  hear  and  act  upon  a communication  from  David  Kimball 
of  Boston,”  the  following  action  was  had. 

The  communication  from  David  Kimball  Esq.,  of  Boston, 
presenting  to  the  “Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Rockport,  in 
trust,  sixty  shares  of  the  capital  stock  of  the  Sandy  Bay  Pier 
Company  as  a permanent  fund”  was  read  to  the  meeting  by 
the  chairman  of  Selectmen;  and  on  motion  it  was 

Voted,  unanimously,  the  acceptance  of  the  same  by  the 
town,  and  that  the  thanks  and  gratitude  of  this  large  meeting 
be  presented  to  the  donor.” 

A true  copy  of  record, 

Attest:  CALVIN  W.  POOL, 

Town  Clerk. 


222 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


During  the  year  1839,  while  the  Congregational  meeting- 
house was  being  repaired  and  improved,  Mr.  Kimball  donated 
to  the  society  the  clock  that  is  placed  in  the  front  of  the  gallery 
of  that  edifice.  It  has  performed  good  service  during  all  the 
intervening  years. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  Rockport  cotton  mill,  Mr.  Kimball 
was  its  treasurer.  He  also  took  an  active  part  in  procuring 
the  incorporation  of  the  Rockport  bank  and  for  quite  a number 
of  years  was  one  of  its  most  efficient  directors. 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 

An  Association  of  this  character  was  organized  here  about 
the  year  1859.  It  occupied  the  hall  over  the  store  of  Joseph 
Bartlett  until  1869,  when  they  purchased  the  chapel  on  the 
corner  of  Broadway  and  School  Street,  that  was  built  in  1855 
for  the  use  of  the  Second  Congregational  Society.  This 
Association  did  a good  work  several  years;  its  meetings  were 
well  attended  and  were  profitable  and  interesting.  But  a 
change  came  over  the  institution,  the  membership  from  various 
causes  decreased,  as  did  also  the  outside  interest.  After  due 
consideration  it  was  concluded  best  to  sell  the  chapel,  upon 
which  rested  not  a heavy  debt.  They  soon  found  a customer 
in  the  person  of ‘the  Granite  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows.  This 
sale  which  was  effected  a few  years  since  virtually  dissolved 
the  Association. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


223 


CHAPTER  IX. 


Town  Hall. 

The  annual  town  meeting  for  the  year  1 869  was  held  on 
Monday,  the  first  day  of  March,  in  Doe’s  Hall.  The  36th. 
article  of  the  warrant  was,  “To  see  if  the  Town  will  purchase 
a lot  and  build  a Town  House  thereon,  and  grant  money  for 
the  same,  per  petition  of  George  H.  Vibbert  and  others.”  It 
was  voted  to  purchase  a lot  and  build  a Town  Hall,  and  thirty 
thousand  dollars  was  appropriated  for  that  purpose.  A building 
committee,  consisting  of  the  selectmen,  viz:  Francis  Tarr,  Jr., 
Austin  W.  Story  and  Wm.  Caldwell,  the  town  treasurer,  Joseph 
Manning,  M.  D.,  and  three  other  citizens,  viz:  James  W.  Bradley, 
Henry  Dennis,  Jr.,  and  Samuel  York,  were  chosen  and  given 
full  power.  The  committee  organized  by  the  choice  of  Samuel 
York,  chairman,  and  Joseph  Manning,  clerk  and  treasurer. 
They  soon  purchased  a lot  on  Broadway,  at  a cost  of  $2,350, 
and  prepared  to  erect  a Town  Hall  thereon.  The  contract  for 
building  the  cellar  was  awarded  to  David  Brooks  and  Andrew 
Bickford,  and  the  erection  of  the  building  to  D.  Somes  Watson 
of  Gloucester. 

The  building  was  completed  and  furnished  within  the  year, 
at  a cost  of  $38,860.99,  including  the  cost  of  the  lot.  The 
hall  was  first  lighted  on  the  evening  of  the  9th.  of  December, 
1 869.  A number  of  persons  made  short  addresses  and  the 
Rockport  Band  discoursed  appropriate  music.  A goodly 
audience  was  in  attendance.  The  next  evening,  there  was  a 
musical  concert  by  Gilmore’s  Band,  solos  by  Arbucle;  all  of 
which  was  highly  appreciated. 

Town  Library. 

The  first  winter  the  new  Town  Hall  was  occupied  (1869 — 
70),  a committee  or  an  association  of  our  citizens,  viz:  John  E. 
Sanborn,  M.  D.,  Levi  E.  Kent,  George  J.  Tarr,  Joseph  Manning, 


224 


HISTORY  OF  RO'CKPORT 


M.  D.,  Samuel  York,  John  G.  Dennis,  Henri  N.  Woods,  Charles 
W.  Parker,  Calvin  W.  Pool,  instituted  a course  of  lectures  by 
men  of  ability,  who  were  well  and  favorably  known,  in  the 
profession.  The  opening  of  the  course  was  a musical 
entertainment  by  Gilmore’s  Band.  It  was  of  a high  order,  as 
was  the  entire  course  and  it  was  highly  appreciated  and  well 
patronized  and  was  also  financially  successful,  so  that  after 
all  expenses  were  paid,  including  hall  rent,  there  remained  in 
the  hands  of  the  committee  a surplus  of  two  hundred  dollars. 
This  sum  the  association  very  generously  proposed  to  donate 
to  the  town  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a Town  Library, 
providing  the  town  would  appropriate  a like  amount  for  the 
same  object. 

At  the  annual  March  meeting,  in  1871,  the  town  accepted 
the  proffered  donation  and  very  unanimously  appropriated  two 
hundred  dollars  for  the  object  named. 

Thus  was  our  present  town  library  inaugurated. 

The  town,  during  the  past  years,  has  made  several  appropri- 
ations in  aid  of  this  useful  institution.  The  whole  amount,  up 
to  the  present  time,  appropriated  and  raised  by  taxation  is 
$1 150.00;  the  total  amount  of  dog  tax  that  has  been  received 
by  the  town  back  from  the  county  treasurer  has  also  been 
appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  library,  which,  during  all  the 
years  of  its  history,  amounts  to  $2310.72;  total  appropriations, 
$3460.78. 

The  patrons  of  the  library  are  required  to  pay  the  small 
stipend  of  fifty  cents  per  year,  less  than  one  cent  per  week, 
for  all  its  privileges.  The  money  thus  received  has  been 
sufficient  to  pay  the  salary  of  the  librarian  and  some  other 
incidental  expenses.  The  library  committee  have  invariably 
served  without  any  money  consideration.  The  committee  first 
in  charge  were:  John  E.  Sanborn,  M.  D.,  Rev.  Wm.  D.  Bridge, 
Henri  N.  Woods,  Samuel  York  and  Francis  Tarr,  Jr.  After 
a service  of  more  than  a year  Dr.  Sanborn  resigned  and  Rev. 
Mr.  Bridge  left  town;  the  vacancies  thus  caused  were  not  filled; 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


the  town  referred  the  question  to  the  committee,  they  to  act  as 
they  pleased.  Samuel  York  served  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  on  the  15th.  day  of  July,  1880.  March,  1 881 , his 
brother,  N.  F.  S.  York,  was  chosen  to  fill  the  vacancy.  He 
occupied  the  position  until  his  death,  which  took  place  in 
March,  1888.  The  next  choice  was  Charles  H.  Cleaves. 

The  committee*  now  in  charge  are  Henri  N.  Woods,  Francis 
Tarr  and  Charles  H.  Cleaves;  librarian,  Elsie  Dann.  A 
donation  of  twenty-nine  volumes  was  received  in  1 877,  from 
Seth  Adams  Choate.  Quite  a number  of  valuable  books  have 
been  received  from  the  departments  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Our  estimable  fellow  citizen,  John  G.  Dennis,  had  contem- 
plated making  a donation  to  the  library,  but  his  sudden  death 
occurred  before  his  plan  was  consummated ; his  children  ful- 
filled his  plan  by  generously  donating,  from  his  estate,  the  sum 
of  $500;  which  sum  has  been  received  and  placed  at  interest, 
for  the  benefit  of  the  institution.  We  now  have  a library  of 
2900  volumes,  well  selected,  and  the  institution  is  appreciated 
and  well  patronized. 

Murder  of  Gilman. 

On  the  11th.  day  of  April,  1877,  two  men,  viz:  Albert  Joy 
and  Charles  H.  Gilman,  with  other  passengers,  came  to  town 
on  the  nine  o’clock  A.  M.  train.  It  seems  they  came  from 
Lowell  in  company,  and  had  stopped  at  several  places  between 
Lowell  and  Rockport.  They  were  at  Beverly  several  days. 
They  had  for  sale,  at  least  Gilman  had  called  at  several  houses 
to  sell,  an  article  to  attach  to  sewing  machines.  Joy,  it  seems, 
waited  about  the  R.  R.  station;  sometime  during  the  forenoon 
he  went  to  the  reservoir  on  the  hill  rear  of  the  station;  this  is 
evident,  as  he  inquired  of  the  station  agent  if  the  town  was 
supplied  with  water  from  that  reservoir.  At  twelve  o’clock 
noon  they  were  seen  to  enter  the  station  at  the  eastern  end 
together,  and  pass  through  and  leave  at  the  western  end,  thus 
going  towards  the  reservoir.  At  about  half  past  twelve  o’clock 


226 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Joy  was  seen  coming  from  the  direction  of  the  reservoir,  alone. 
He  crossed  the  railroad  track  and  took  the  way  of  Pool’s 
pasture  lane  to  MainSt.,thus  to  Broadway,  and  called  at  the 
restaurant  of  Mr.  Aaron  Hodgkins,  and  asked  for  an  oyster 
stew  and  a cup  of  tea;  also  for  a brush  and  blacking  for  his 
boots;  there  he  remained  until  a little  past  one  o’clock,  then 
took  the  way  to  the  railroad  station,  and  took  a seat  in  the 
smoking  car  of  the  train  that  would  leave  about  half  past  one 
o’clock.  A young  man,  Doyle,  on  his  way  home  from  a 
gunning  excursion  in  the  pastures,  went  to  the  reservoir  for  a 
drink,  and  beheld  a dead  man  in  the  water;  he  immediately 
gave  the  alarm.  There  were  three  fishermen  about  the  station 
that  forenoon,  who  also  came  to  town  on  the  nine  o’clock  train; 
they  went  to  Pigeon  Cove  seeking  a chance  to  go  on  a fishing 
trip  but  were  not  successful,  and  were  about  to  leave  by  the 
noon  train;  they  had  seen  this  man  Joy  about  the  station;  as 
they  were  about  to  board  the  train  they  heard  the  news,  “A 
dead  man  in  the  reservoir.”  As  they  went  into  the  smoker 
they  saw  Joy;  one  of  them  said,  “A  dead  man  has  been  found 
in  the  reservoir.”  Joy  exclaims,  “My  God!  it  is  my  chum,” 
and  left  the  car.  Within  a short  time  he  was  arrested  and 
taken  to  the  police  station.  There  he  said  he  left  Gilman  at 
the  reservoir  and  went  to  get  some  dinner  for  himself,  and 
some  bread  and  cheese  for  Gilman.  He  did  not  call  for  bread 
and  cheese  anywhere,  so  far  as  it  could  be  ascertained.  A 
medical  examination  was  had,  a coroner’s  jury  was  empaneled, 
and  the  case  was  heard  before  N.  F.  S.  York,  Esq.,  conducted 
by  Assistant  District  Attorney  Kimball,  for  the  government, 
and  Henri  N.  Woods,  Esq.,  for  the  defence.  The  verdict 
charged  Joy  with  the  murder  of  Gilman.  He  was  committed 
to  Salem  jail  to  await  trial  at  the  next  term  of  Supreme  Court. 
The  three  fishermen,  being  strangers  in  town,  were  also 
committed  to  Salem  jail,  as  witnesses  in  the  case. 

At  the  session  of  the  Supreme  Court,  held  at  Salem,  July  9, 
1877,  Judges  Morton  and  Lord  presiding,  Joy  was  tried  for 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


227 


murder.  The  trial  consumed  four  days  of  the  court.  The 
government  was  represented  by  Attorney  Gen.  C.  R.  Train, 
and  Dist.  Attorney  E.  J.  Sherman.  The  defence  was  repre- 
sented by  Wm.  D.  Northend  and  Henri  N.  Woods.  Though 
the  evidence  was  circumstantial,  it  was  very  conclusive,  all 
pointing  towards  Joy  as  the  criminal.  The  jury  brought  in  a 
verdict  of  guilty.  He  was  sentenced  to  be  hanged  on  Friday 
Oct.  19th.  On  October  1 5th.  he  was  reprieved  by  the  Governor 
until  December  13th.  On  the  5th.  day  of  December,  1877,  his 
sentence  was  commuted  by  the  Governor  and  Council,  to 
imprisonment  for  life.  This  was  brought  about  by  the  earnest 
appeals  of  his  mother  and  some  influential  citizens. 

Disabled  and  Dead  Seamen  Cared  for. 

Sch.  “Cora  Lee”  of  Pigeon  Cove,  Geo.  A.  Saunders,  master, 
while  engaged  in  setting  trawls  on  Jeffreys  Bank,  about  thirty 
miles  E.  N.  E.  of  Cape  Ann,  about  8 o’clock  on  the  morning 
of  January  5th.  1882,  discovered  in  the  distance  a small  boat 
showing  a signal  of  distress.  They  immediately  left  their 
trawls  and  made  for  the  boat;  when  alongside,  a sad  sight 
presented  itself.  The  boat  contained  five  men  nearly  exhausted 
on  account  of  the  exceeding  cold  weather  of  the  several  days 
past,  and  the  want  of  food  and  water.  Some  of  them  were 
badly  frosted.  Upon  the  floor  of  the  boat  two  men  lay  dead; 
one  other,  the  second  mate,  died  the  day  before;  they  gave 
him  an  ocean  grave.  The  live  men  were  at  once  taken 
on  board  the  schooner,  every  attention  possible  was  paid 
them,  and  the  “Cora  Lee”  was  immediately  headed  for  Pigeon 
Cove.  The  wind:-was  light  and  her  progress  was  slow;  the 
latter  part  of  the  afternoon  it  was  nearly  calm;  two  of  the 
crew  took  a dory  and  pulled  for  the  harbor,  as  they  could 
make  better  way  than  the  schooner,  and  they  were  anxious 
to  obtain  medical  aid  at  the  earliest  possible  moment.  The 
Sch.  arrived  at  Pigeon  Cove  at  early  evening.  Drs.  Sanborn 
and  Tupper,  having  been  notified,  were  on  hand,  on  the 


228 


HISTOR  V OF  ROCKPORT. 


arrival  of  the  sufferers,  and  were  prepared  to  render  all  the 
assistance  in  their  power.  They  were  taken  at  once  to  the 
boarding-house  of  Mrs.  Ann  Pierce,  where  they  received  the 
best  medical  attendance  and  the  most  careful  nursing.  The 
dead  were  taken  to  the  Pigeon  Cove  Engine  House,  and  wrere 
watched  over  by  some  members  of  the  company.  Suitable 
grave  clothes  were  provided,  and  neat  coffins.  Mrs.  Bishop 
and  the  Engine  Co.  provided  a liberal  supply  of  flowrers.  On 
Sabbath  afternoon,  January  8th,  they  w^ere  taken  to  the  Chapel. 
A large  and  sympathizing  audience  witnessed  the  very 
appropriate  funeral  service.  Singing  by  a union  choir;  other 
services:  prayer  and  addresses  by  Rev.  Edwin  Davis,  Univer- 
salist;  Rev.  R.  B.  Howard,  Congregationalist;  Rev.  John  Capen, 
Methodist. 

The  boarding-house,  where  the  disabled  ones  wrere  cared  for, 
was  in  close  proximity  to  the  Chapel;  so  they,  as  it  were, 
could,  in  a certain  sense,  participate  in  the  funeral  service. 

These  men  were  the  Capt.  and  crew  of  the  three-masted 
schooner  “Almon  Bird”  of  Rockland,  Maine,  from  Windsor, 
N.  S.,  with  a cargo  of  plaster  for  Alexandria,  Va.  In  a heavy 
N.  W.  gale,  accompanied  with  snow  and  severe  cold,  on  the 
night  of  January  1st,  she  was  struck  by  a heavy  sea  that  broke 
down  her  hatches  and  poured  a large  quantity  of  water  into 
the  hold,  also  caused  her  to  leak.  Thus  Monday,  early  morn, 
they  were  obliged  to  take  to  the  boat  and  could  take  with 
them  but  a small  quantity  of  provisions  and  water;  the  captain 
could  not  even  take  his  gold  w^atch  and  nautical  instruments. 
Some  of  the  men  were  even  scantily  clothed;  in  this  condition 
five  of  them  managed  to  live  four  days,  until  they  were  rescued, 
as  before  named.  One  man,  the  second  mate,  died  the  day 
before;  him  they  buried  in  an  ocean  grave.  When  we  consider 
the  inclemency  of  the  wreather,  it  seems  wonderful  that  any 
survived.  The  captain,  C.  A.  Packard,  suffered  the  amputation 
of  several  of  his  toes.  Ferdinand  Hamilton  was  very  badly 
frosted;  after  intense  suffering,  death  released  him  on  the  1 3th, 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


229 


inst.;  his  body  was  taken  to  Rockland  for  burial.  Generous 
contributions  were  made  for  the  sufferers;  the  Boston  Globe 
sent  a check  of  fifty  dollars. 

The  Capt.  and  crew  of  the  “Cora  Lee”  did  not  stop  to 
calculate  the  loss  of  their  trawls,  or  of  their  fishing  trip,  but 
hastened  with  all  possible  speed  to  relieve  the  wants  of  these 
sufferers.  It  was  a noble  act,  and  they  should  ever  be  held 
in  grateful  remembrance.  The  citizens  at  Pigeon  Cove  were 
lavish  in  their  attentions  to  these  suffering  men.  Mrs.  Pierce 
threw  wide  open  her  doors  to  receive  them.  Money  could 
not  have  provided  better  medical  attendance  or  more  careful 
nursing. 

The  names  of  the  crew  of  the  “Almon  Bird”  were:  C.  A. 
Packard,  captain;  Wm.  Harriman,  Allen  Small,  A.  R. 
Henderson,  Ferdinand  Hamilton  died  on  shore;  Charles 
Staples,  buried  at  sea;  Horace  Small  and  Patrick  Hagan  died 
on  board  the  yawl  boat. 

The  names  of  the  crew  of  the  “Cora  Lee”  were:  George  A. 
Saunders,  master;  John  Newman,  cook;  Scott  Geyer,  John  J. 
Hickey,  Joseph  Morse,  Joseph  White,  Charles  M.  Goodwin, 
William  Grant,  James  E.  Pinker,  Joseph  Pears,  Joseph  Silvia, 
Joseph  Bushee,  Edward  E.  Griffin  and  John  E.  Saunders. 

Landing  of  the  C ommercial  Cable  at  Rockport,  May  2 2nd,  1884.. 

In  anticipation  of  the  arrival  of  the  steamship  Faraday, 
which  was  engaged  in  laying  the  Commercial  Co’s.  (Bennett 
& Mackay’s)  cable,  and  was  expected  to  land  the  shore-end 
near  Little  Cape  .Hedge,  within  a few  weeks,  the  citizens  of 
this  town  held  an  informal  meeting  in  the  Town  Hall,  on  the 
11th.  day  of  May  1884,  to  take  some  action  in  relation  to 
giving  a welcome  and  reception  to  this  great  and  important 
enterprise.  Nathaniel  F.  S.  York,  Esq.,  was  chosen  modera- 
tor and  Andrew  F.  Clark,  secretary. 

A committee  consisting  of  John  W.  Marshall,  George  J. 
Tarr,  Francis  Tarr,  Calvin  W.  Pool,  Dr.  J.  E.  Sanborn, 


230 


HISTORY  OF  R0CKP0RT. 


George  Elwell,  G.  T.  Margeson,  Jason  L.  Curtis,  John  G. 
Dennis,  Alden  Choate  and  Janies  S.  Rogers,  were  chosen  to 
co-operate  with  the  Selectmen,  to  devise  a formal  celebration 
of  this  great  enterprise. 

The  committee  met  and  organized  and  formed  a plan  of 
reception,  as  the  following  results  will  show. — The  steamer 
was  sighted  off  Thacher’s  Island  at  4.20  o’clock,  on  the 
morning  of  the  22nd.  day  of  May;  this  was  twenty-four  hours 
sooner  than  she  was  expected.  The  news  was  immediately 
telegraphed  from  the  Island  to  the  Rockport  station.  Our 
citizens  were  soon  awake  to  the  situation.  The  steamer 
pursued  her  course  and  about  five  o’clock  she  came  to  anchor 
about  three-fourths  of  a mile  from  the  shore  upon  which  the 
cable  was  to  be  landed.  The  report  of  a gun  from  her  deck, 
was  answered  by  the  ringing  of  the  church  bells  and  firing  of 
cannon  in  the  village.  Our  sub-committee,  N.  F.  S.  York, 
Nathaniel  Richardson,  Jr.,  and  Calvin  W.  Pool,  was  soon  on 
board,  and  tendered  our  compliments  to  Captain  L.  Fanu, 
other  officers  and  electricians,  and  extended  to  each  of  them 
a cordial  invitation  to  the  dinner  prepared  for  the  occasion. 
Our  committee  was  then  informed  that  they  had  been  obliged 
to  cut  and  buoy  the  cable  250  miles  from  our  shore,  therefore 
they  would  be  obliged  to  decline  the  invitation,  and  forego 
the  pleasure  of  being  with  us.  As  soon  as  the  shore-end  was 
laid,  they  would  be  obliged  to  weigh  anchor  and  take  their 
course  for  the  end  that  was  buoyed. 

The  officers  appreciated  the  attention  of  our  citizens,  and 
regretted  their  inability  to  accept  of  our  hospitality.  Our 
committee  was  shown  every  attention  by  the  captain  and 
other  officers,  as  were  also  other  citizens  who  visited  the  ship 
during  the  brief  time  she  lay  at  anchor.  As  they  could  not 
be  with  us  in  the  evening,  at  our  dinner,  the  toast-master  for 
the  occasion,  being  one  of  the  visitors,  after  partaking  of  a 
lunch,  offered  the  following  sentiment: 

“ The  officers  and  electricians  of  tho  Faraday.  We  are  proud 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


231 


to  tender  them  with  open  hands  and  hearts,  our  welcome. 
Without  their  skill  and  able  efforts  our  gathering  would  have 
no  cause  to  exist.  We  extend  our  heartfelt  wishes,  that  their 
individual  and  professional  future  may  never  be  dimmed  by  a 
cloud  of  adversity.”  Capt.  L Fanu  made  a pleasant  response. 

The  Faraday  is  365  feet  in  length,  52  feet  in  width  and  31 
feet  in  depth,  and  carries  200  officers  and  crew.  This  Bennett 
& Mackay  cable  is  the  largest  ocean  cable  ever  laid;  it  weighs 
about  twenty  tons  to  the  mile.  The  landing  was  effected  by 
means  of  three  large  rafts  made  of  inflated  double-ended 
rubber  bags,  covered  with  canvas,  and  another  raft  made  of 
boats  lashed  together,  and  covered  with  plank.  Six  hundred 
fathoms  of  the  cable  were  coiled  upon  these  rafts,  and  they 
were  then  pulled  toward  the  shore,  paying  out  as  they  went. 
The  scene  was  very  exciting  on  the  raft,  and  along  the  shore 
crowds  were  gathered  to  witness  the  work. 

The  landing  was  effected  about  ten  o’clock,  and  the  cable 
was  then  laid  through  a deep  trench  to  the  cable-house,  a 
short  distance  above  high  water. 

The  event  was  duly  honored  by  a long  procession  which, 
escorted  by  the  Gloucester  and  Rockport  Bands,  marched  to 
the  landing-place,  and  by  the  firing  of  a salute  of  38  guns,  the 
playing  of  Hail  Columbia  and  Rule  Britannia  by  the  Bands, 
and  cheers  of  the  people  responded  to  from  the  Faraday, 
by  her  heavy  steam  whistle  and  cheers  of  the  crew.  Thus  the 
cable  was  laid,  and  when  it  shall  be  completed,  another  bond 
of  union  will  be  effected  between  the  old  world  and  the  new. 

As  soon  as  the.  cable  was  safely  landed,  the  rafts  returned 
to  the  ship.  At  about  eleven  o’clock  A.  M.  the  huge  vessel 
weighed  anchor  and  steamed  away,  trailing  the  cable  behind 
her  as  she  went,  to  make  the  connection  250  miles  easterly, 
which,  when  connected,  will  complete  the  circuit  from  Dover 
Bay  to  Cape  Ann.  It  was  a grand  sight,  as  we  stood  upon 
that  vessel’s  deck  and  beheld  the  great  crowd  of  people  and 
carriages  upon  the  shore.  It  was  a grand  panorama.  The 


232 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Capt.  expressed  himself  in  terms  of  great  satisfaction  and  all 
hands  considered  themselves  highly  honored. 

The  Abbott  House,  under  the  management  of  Maj.  John  F. 
Swett,  the  popular  landlord,  was  gaily  decorated.  Many 
visitors  were  present  from  out  of  town,  and  with  marching 
and  music  and  the  firing  of  cannon,  the  day  which  was  very 
pleasant  was  also  lively. 

In  the  evening  a supper  was  served  in  Haskins’  Hall, 
complimentary  to  the  officers  of  the  Cable  Company,  repre- 
sentatives of  the  press  and  other  visitors.  Plates  were  laid 
for  eighty  guests;  the  tables  presented  a fine  appearance. 
N.  F.  S.  York,  chairman  of  the  selectmen,  presided.  The 
divine  blessing  was  invoked  by  Dea.  C.  W.  Pool. 

The  waiters  were  seven  of  the  finest  young  ladies  of  Rock- 
port;  they  were  dressed  in  white.  After  sufficient  attention 
had  been  paid  to  edibles,  then  came  the  intellectual  feast. 
Our  chairman,  by  a few  well-chosen  words,  welcomed  our 
guests  to  the  festivities  of  the  hour;  then  introduced  as  toast- 
master John  W.  Marshall.  After  a few  preliminary  remarks 
he  proposed  the  following  sentiments: 

“7 he  Old  World  and  the  New , bound  together  by  another 
cord  of  sympathy,  bringing  heart  to  heart  in  closer  relation 
to  daily  life.  May  the  electric  pulse  wax  stronger  every  day, 
and  the  coming  future  develop  good  to  universal  humanity.” 
Responded  to  by  Isaac  Bell,  Jr.,  ol  New  York,  Vice  President 
of  the  Commercial  Cable  Company. 

“ Her  Majesty , the  Queen  of  Great  Britain.  Her  virtues  and 
her  beautiful  motherhood  belong  to  the  whole  world.  As  a 
woman,  as  well  as  a ruler,  her  wisdom  and  beneficence  are 
the  admiration  of  mankind.”  Responded  to  by  George  G. 
Ward  of  New  York,  Secretary  of  Commercial  Cable  Company. 

“ Chester  A.  Arthur , President  of  the  United  States.  Called  to 
an  unexpected  position,  he  has  discharged  his  duties  with 
marked  ability  which  commands  the  respect  of  other  nations 


HISTORY  OF  ROCK  PORT. 


233 


with  our  own.”  Responded  to  by  Col.  David  W.  Low  of 
Gloucester. 

“ Commercial  Cable  Company.  Hon.  James  G.  Bennett,  herald 
of  new  tidings  between  the  Old  World  and  the  New.  John 
W.  Mackay  who,  from  the  Pacific  slope,  connects  the  East 
with  the  West.  Their  united  efforts  have  caused  this  the  day 
of  our  rejoicing.”  Responded  to  by  H.  DeCastro  of  New 
York,  a director  of  the  Commercial  Cable  Company.  He 
expressed  his  joy  that  Rockport  would  soon  be  in  direct 
communication  by  cable,  not  only  with  the  United  States,  but 
with  the  old  continent.  He  hoped  that  a new  era  of  prosperity 
would  dawn  upon  the  land,  and  that  not  only  would  Rockport 
people  have  to  congratulate  themselves  upon  the  realization 
of  the  new  cable,  but  on  the  erection  of  a breakwater  which 
will  make  Rockport  one  of  the  finest  harbors  in  the  world. 

“Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts.  Foremost  in  public 
enterprise,  she  has  ever  stretched  out  her  shores  far  into  the 
Atlantic  to  greet  her  foreign  neighbors  and  bind  them  to  her 
with  cables  of  quickest  interest.”  This  was  responded  to  by 
Dr.  J.  E.  Sanborn,  in  rhyme. 

“The  officers , electricians  and  reporters  of  the  Faraday.  We 
are  proud  to  tender  them  open  hands  and  hearts  of  welcome. 
Without  their  skill  and  able  effort,  our  gathering  would  have 
no  cause  to  exist.  We  extend  our  most  heartfelt  wishes  that 
their  individual  and  professional  future  may  never  be  dimmed 
by  a cloud  of  adversity.”  Responded  to  by  A.  J.  Keneday  of 
the  New  York  Herald. 

“Cape  Ann , with  its  Sandy  Bay,  has  had  taken  from  the 
rocky  ribs  of  its  Gloucester,  a Rockport  to  become  famous 
for  its  Atlantic  Cable  and  Harbor  of  Refuge.”  Responded  to 
by  Francis  Procter  of  the  Cape  Ann  Advertiser,  and  W.  Frank 
Parsons  of  Gloucester,  who  gave  many  interesting  facts  in  the 
history  of  telegraphy. 

“Commerce  and  Law.  The  handmaids  of  modern  progress. 
The  former  is  represented  by  the  achievement  of  to-day — the 


234 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


latter  will  be  defended  by  our  young  friend,  Mr.  Putnam  of  New 
York  City.”  Mr.  Putnam  responded  in  a few  words,  speaking 
of  this,  a great  event  of  the  times,  and  of  his  pleasure  in  being 
present.  Frederick  Ward,  Esq.,  of  New  York  City,  Supt.  of 
the  Commercial  Cable  Company,  was  called  out  and  gave 
some  very  interesting  facts  in  relation  to  cables  of  the  past 
and  present,  and  the  promise  for  the  future. 

“ Last  but  not  least — Ike  Press.  We  acknowledge  its  power 
and  court  its  faver.”  Response  by  Mr.  Thomas  Maguire  of 
the  Boston  Herald.  He  said  that  he  regretted  the  absence  of 
the  Harbor  of  Refuge,  at  this  particular  time,  as  he  would 
like  to  crawl  into  it.  There  was  a particular  reason  why  the 
people  of  Massachusetts  should  celebrate  the  landing  of  a 
cable,  for  all  the  great  electricians  who  made  a cable  possible 
were  Massachusetts  men:  Franklin,  the  first  electrician,  was 
born  in  Boston,  Morse  in  Charlestown,  and  Cyrus  W.  Fields 
in  Stockbridge. 

After  a few  remarks  by  Chairman  York,  the  meeting  closed, 
many  adjourning  to  the  Abbott  House,  where  the  festivities 
were  continued  until  a late  hour.  Others  took  the  special 
train  for  Gloucester  and  Boston.  The  day  was  very  pleasant, 
and  the  citizens  and  guests  will  long  remember  the  arrival  of 
the  Faraday  and  the  successful  placing  of  the  cable  on  the 
shores  of  Pebblestone  Beach  and  Little  Cape  Hedge. 

Rockport,  May  26th.,  1884,  the  first  message  by  the 
Commercial  Cable  was  received  here  at  two  o’clock  P.  M. 

From  Steamer  Faraday  to  the  Selectmen  of  Rockport , Mass. — 
The  Faraday  wishes  to  thank  the  selectmen  of  Rockport,  as 
well  as  its  citizens,  for  the  hearty  reception  she  received  at 
their  hands,  and  can  only  regret  that  her  arduous  work  called 
her  away  so  soon.  And  she  trusts  that  this  section  connecting 
Cape  Ann  with  Dover  Bay  will  probably  be  completed  this 
afternoon.” 

Reply. — “The  selectmen  of  Rockport,  with  the  citizens, 
cordially  congratulate  the  Faraday  on  the  happy  completion 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


235 


of  this  great  undertaking,  and  confidently  hope  the  same 
success  will  in  time  crown  the  entire  work.  Our  regrets  at 
the  brevity  of  their  stay  here  disappear  only  in  our  joy  at  the 
success  of  the  undertaking.” 

When  we  take  into  consideration  that  the  Faraday  arrived 
twenty-four  hours  before  she  was  expected,  therefore  before 
the  plans  of  the  committee  were  perfected,  everything 
considered,  the  reception  was  a success,  surely  it  was  a 
pleasant  time  for  our  citizens,  and  our  visitors  were  lavish  of 
their  congratulations,  of  the  success  of  the  enterprise  and  the 
attention  paid  them. 

It  was  the  plan  of  the  officers  of  the  Faraday  to  make  a 
direct  course  from  Dover  Bay  to  Rockport,  therefore  when 
the  shore-end  would  be  landed  the  circuit  would  be  complete, 
and  this  proceeding  would  have  consumed  twenty-four  hours 
more  time  in  reaching  our  shore;  but  when  within  250 
miles  of  our  shore,  it  was  found  necessary  to  cut  the  cable  and 
buoy  it,  and  make  directly  for  the  Cape  and  land  the  shore- 
end,  and  then  steam  back  and  make  the  connection. 

New  York  Herald,  May  23rd.  1884. 

“Reception  of  the  Cable , — The  rafts,  as  they  were  hauled 
towards  shore,  were  surrounded  by  dories  laden  to  the  water’s 
edge  with  eager  and  admiring  spectators.  It  was  the  first 
cable  that  Rockport  had  ever  seen,  and  Rockport  rose  to  the 
occasion.  Just  as  in  the  days  of  ancient  Rome,  when  warriors 
returning  from  a successful  expedition,  were  met  with  an 
assembly  of  city  fathers  and  a procession  of  garlanded  virgins, 
so  in  Rockport  a^rocession  of  school  children  and  firemen, 
heralded  by  a band  of  music,  was  provided  to  do  honor  to  the 
Faraday.  The  inhabitants  of  the  town  flocked  down  the 
beach;  old  men  and  boys,  blooming  young  girls  and  strapping 
matrons  were  there  in  scores,  thronging  round  the  cable  hut, 
seeming  anxious  to  explore  the  prospective  mysteries  within. 
The  Stars  and  Stripes  waved  from  a flag-staff  near  the  beach, 


236 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


and  also  from  the  fore-truck  of  the  Faraday.  There  was 
another  bond  of  union  between  England  and  America  being 
cemented,  and  the  Englishmen  on  the  Faraday  and  our  own 
countrymen  on  $hore  appeared  to  fully  realize  it.  With  a 
long  pull,  a strong  pull  and  a pull  altogether,  new  and 
increased  way  was  given  to  the  rafts,  and  soon  the  foremost 
one  was  close  to  the  surf  which  beat  in,  but  only  gently,  on 
the  sandy,  shining  shore.  With  a loud  hurrah  from  the 
rafts-men,  re-echoed  by  those  on  shore,  the  fore-most  raft  was 
hauled  high  up  on  the  beach.  The  men  jumped  off  of  all  the 
rafts,  and  grasping  the  end  of  the  cable  it  was  carried  bodily 
up  the  shore.  A trench  between  the  cable-house  and  the  sea 
had  been  dug  to’ receive  it,  and  it  was  laid  in  this  trench  as  it 
was  dragged  along.  In  less  than  ten  minutes  it  was  passed 
through  a hole  in  the  side  of  the  cable-house,  which  had  been 
bored  to  receive  it,  and  there  its  coiled  end  will  remain  intact 
until  the  25th.  inst.,  when  there  probably  will  be  communica- 
tion established  between  here  and  Dover  Bay. 

The  Rockport  people,  all  smiling  happily  and  in  the  best  of 
temper,  helped  to  lay  the  cable  in  the  trench,  and  many 
civilities  were  interchanged  between  the  charming  young 
ladies  who  filled  the  beach  and  the  smart  young  officers  of  the 
Faraday.  It  seemed  to  the  careful  observer,  that  regret  was 
felt  on  both  sides,  that  the  visit  was  to  be  so  short.  As  soon 
as  the  cable  end  was  in  the  hut,  the  work  of  the  Faraday’s 
men  was  ended. 

Mr.  Schenck  led  three  hearty  cheers  for  the  Commercial 
Cable,  in  which  all  joined  lustily.  The  boatswain  led 
another  round  for  Mr.  Brittle,  which  was  heartily  received. 
Preparations  were  then  made  for  launching  the  boats  and 
rafts  and  returning  to  the  ship. 

Mr.  Pratt  was  left  on  shore  to  take  charge  of  the  cable  hut, 
and  your  correspondent  exchanged  farewells  with  his  Faraday 
friends. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKFORT. 


23  7 


CHAPTER  X. 


Commencement  and  Progress  of  the  Granite  Industry. 

Sometime  during  the  year  1823,  Mr.  Nehemiah  Knowlton 
cut  some  five  hundred  tons  of  stone,  from  cobbles  in  rear  of 
the  old  time  Lurvey  house  at  Pigeon  Cove,  or  in  that  vicinity. 
He  advertised  the  stone  for  sale  in  a Boston  newspaper.  Major 
Bates  of  Quincy,  Mass.,  noticed  the  advertisement  and  came 
to  Sandy  Bay.  The  prospects  were  such  that  the  next  year 
he  came  here  and  commenced  the  business  of  quarrying  stone. 
William  Torrey,  also  of  Quincy,  came  with  him,  and  was  in 
his  employ  about  one  year.  However  true  it  may  be,  that 
the  business  was  not  successful,  it  is  a fact  that  Major  Bates 
abandoned  it,  within  about  two  years,  and  went  to  Boston. 
Here  he  met  Colonel  Thayer,  United  States  Engineer,  who, 
noticing  Major  Bates’  natural  bent  for  working  on  stone, 
engaged  him  as  an  assistant  in  the  construction  of  P'ort 
Warren  and  other  government  works,  then  being  constructed 
in  Boston  Harbor.  Col.  Thayer,  being  in  want  of  stone  for 
the  government  works,  and  seeing  that  Torrey  was  possessed 
of  both  pluck  and  energy,  induced  him  to  engage  in  business 
on  his  own  account.  He  accordingly  commenced  operations 
on  part  of  the  property  now  owned  by  the  Rockport  Granite 
Company;  it  became  known  as  the  Torrey  Pit.  The  next 
year  he  commenced  operations  at  Folly  Cove,  as  that  was  the 
most  favorable  place  to  get  cap  and  flag-stones,  of  which 
Colonel  Thayer  was  then  in  need.  That  same  year  he  moved 
his  family,  consisting  of  his  wife  and  two  sons,  Solomon  F. 
and  William  J.,  to  Sandy  Bay.  The  next  year  he  abandoned 
Folly  Cove  and  returned  to  his  former  location,  and  opened 
a quarry  to  the  westward  of  the  present  stone  bridge.  This 
proved  a good  quarry  and  yielded  a large  amount  of  valuable 
stone.  Up  to  the  year  1842  he  furnished  nearly  all  the 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


238 

granite  for  the  government  work  on  the  islands  in  Boston 
Harbor,  and  for  the  Charlestown  and  Portsmouth  navy-yards. 
After  this  time  a portion  of  the  stone  of  which  these  important 
works  were  constructed  was  furnished  by  Messrs.  Colburn 
and  Eames,  Benjamin  Hale  and  others.  About  the  year  1841 
he  started  the  largest  stone  that  had  been  quarried  on  the 
Cape  up  to  that  time.  Two  of  his  foremen,  Joseph  Stanley 
and  Joshua  Sanborn,  were  for  many  years  identified  with  the 
quarrying  interest  of  the  Cape;  the  latter  was,  for  quite  a 
number  of  years,  one  of  the  firm  of  Eames,  Stimson  & Co. 
Stanley  was  one  of  their  foremen. 

When  in  the  zenith  of  his  business,  Mr.  Torrey  owned  an 
interest  in  at  least  six  sloops,  keeping  them  constantly 
employed,  and  he  also  furnished  freight  for  many  other  vessels 
from  Quincy  and  the  state  of  Maine.  He  was  a good  citizen, 
an  energetic  and  successful  business  man. 

Of  his  two  sons,  Solomon  F.  died  some  years  since; 
William  J.,  who  was  formerly  engaged  in  the  stone  business 
to  a considerable  extent,  is  now  with  us;  he  owns  and  occu- 
pies the  mansion  that  his  father  built  and  occupied  several 
years. 

Beniah  Colburn  came  here  two  years  after  Mr.  Torrey  and 
worked  for  him.  He  became  one  of  the  foremost  quarrymen 
of  his  time.  Soon  after  him  came  Ezra  Eames  and  Amos  C. 
Sanborn.  The  last  named,  we  think,  tarried  here  about  one 
year,  then  returned  to  Boston,  and  engaged  in  the  business  of 
buying  and  selling  stone,  in  which  business  he  continued 
many  years  and  was  quite  successful;  many  thousand  tons  of 
Rockport  granite  have  been  shipped  to  him.  Eames  made 
Rockport  his  home. 

About  this  time,  or  perhaps  a year  later,  came  Zachariah 
Green  and  Jeremiah  Wetherbee.  They  organized  a corpora- 
tion, known  as  the  Gloucester  and  Boston  Granite  Co.  John 
Stimson,  a son-in-law  of  Green,  came  about  the  same  time, 
and  held  stock  in  the  company.  They  opened  a quarry  on 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


239 


what  is  now  the  property  of  the  Rockport  Granite  Company, 
and  soon  commenced  the  wharf  and  breakwater,  which  has 
assumed  such  large  proportions,  and  is.  now  owned  by  that 
company.  They  continued  in  business  several  years,  and 
were  quite  successful.  They  built  the  stone  house  and  barn, 
now  upon  the  premises  of  the  Rockport  Granite  Company, 
and  did  much  towards  opening  up  the  resources  of  the  town. 

Colburn  & Eames  formed  a partnership  in  1827.  They 
opened  a quarry  hear  where  is  now  the  residence  of  Thomas 
Full,  at  Pigeon  Cove.  At  this  place  there  was  a hill  of  stone, 
rising  some  twenty  feet  above  the  level  of  the  road.  The 
stone  was  of  good  quality,  and  found  a ready  market  at 
Boston,  Portsmouth,  Salem  and  other  places,  where  much  of 
it  was  dressed  for  cemetery  purposes. 

The  stone  for  the  chain  bridge  over  the  Merrimack,  just 
above  Newburyport,  was  taken  from  this  quarry  in  1828;  they 
also  furnished  stone  to  the  government  for  fortifications,  navy- 
yards  etc.  It  is  said  that  after  taking  account  of  stock  and 
settling  up,  at  the  end  of  the  first  year,  they  found  themselves 
fifteen  dollars  in  debt.  In  subsequent  years  they  were  more 
successful.  They  finally  worked  the  quarry  down  to  tide-water 
level  and  then  abandoned  it,  as  they  could  no  longer  draw  off 
the  water,  which  filled  in  from  springs  and  rains,  with  a syphon. 
Steam  engines  for  pumping  were  not  then  thought  of. 

John  Stimson,  after  a few  years,  left  the  Boston  and 
Gloucester  Granite  Company,  set  up  for  himself  and  quarried 
at  the  Flat  Ledge,  which  was  afterwards  owned  by  Wm.  H. 
Knowlton.  The  first  paving-blocks  cut  on  Cape  Ann  were 
by  John  Stimson,  -from  the  Flat  Ledge,  and  were  used  at  Fort 
Warren,  shipped  there  in  the  sloop  “Fox.”  This  was  a small 
sloop  about  thirty  or  forty  tons  burthen. 

. The  next  move  was  the  organization  of  a new  company,  viz: 
Ezra  Eames,  John  Stimson  and  Beniah  Colburn,  under  the 
firm-name  of  Eames,  Stimson  & Co.  The  new  company  com- 
menced operations  near  where  Stimson  was  located.  Mr. 


240 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Colburn  continued  in  the  firm  but  a short  time,  but  he  engaged 
in  the  same  business  in  other  localities.  He  at  one  time 
operated  a quarry  at  Hodgkins’  Cove  (now  known  as  Bay 
View).  This  quarry  was  originally  opened  by  Richard  W. 
Ricker  and  Kilby  Sargent,  and  is  now  the  property  of  the 
Cape  Ann  Granite  Company.  Mr.  Colburn  made  the  first 
blocks  now  known  as  New  York  blocks,  and  sent  them  to 
Boston;  they  were  laid  in  Exchange  Street,  near  the 
Merchants’  Bank  building.  These  blocks  were  the  first  to  be 
laid  on  the  edge  instead  of  on  the  flat. 

In  1852-53  he  sent  underpinning  to  San  Francisco;  it  was 
used  on  government  buildings.  In  1 857  he  sent  paving-blocks 
to  New  Orleans.  He  was  a man  of  strict  integrity,  and  was 
quite  successful  in  his  business  operations. 

Eames,  Stimson  & Co.  operated  on  a part  of  the  territory 
that  is  now- owned  by  the  Rockport  Granite  Co.  Those  more 
or  less  interested  in  this  company  at  different  times,  were 
Anson  and  Aaron  Stimson,  George  R.  Bradford,  Joshua 
Sanborn,  J.  Henry  Stimson,  Abraham  Day  and  Jotham 
Taylor.  This  company  did  a large  business  and  continued  in 
successful  operation  until  1864,  when  they  sold  all  of  their 
company  property  to  J.  Henry  Stimson  and  others,  which 
resulted  in  the  organization  of  the  Rockport  Granite  Compa- 
ny. Stimson,  at  one  time,  owned  nearly  one  half  of  its  capital 
stock.  This  company  also  purchased,  at  different  times,  the 
several  properties  of  Wm.  Hale  Knowlton,  William  Torrey 
and  Preston  & Fernald.  They  continue  to  own  and  occupy 
this  valuable  property,  and  are  working  it  successfully.  The 
cut  leading  out  from  their  quarries  to  their  wharves  was 
commenced  in  1868,  was  completed,  and  the  arched  stone 
bridge  built  in  1872. 

John  Stimson  was  for  many  years  the  able  and  successful 
agent  and  manager  of  this  company.  Upon  his  resignation 
a few  years  since,  Charles  S.  Rogers  was  appointed,  and  now 
continues  to  occupy  that  responsible  position ; this  company 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


241 


now  transport  the  greater  part  of  the  products  of  their  quarries 
to  their  wharves  by  rail. 

Thomas  Peach,  years  since,  quarried  stone  at  Halibut  Point 
and  shipped  it  from  Hooppole  Cove.  Benjamin  Hale  and 
Joseph  Babson  opened  a quarry  on  the  Babson  Farm  and 
shipped  their  stone  from  a cove  near  by,  where  they  also  built 
a wharf. 

Benjamin  Hale  also  operated  for  awhile  the  quarry  at 
Pigeon  Cove  n$ar  where  Mr.  Canney  is  now  at  work. 
Some  others  who  were  engaged  in  the  stone  business  in  the 
early  days  were  Samuel  Parker  and  his  brother  William, 
Alpheus  C.  Pierce,  George  W.  Johnson,  Charles  Dorman, 
Elijah  Edmands. 

The  Bay  State  Granite  Co.  did  a large  business  several 
years. 

Levi  Sewall,  quite  early  in  the  history  of  this  industry, 
opened  up  a quarry  upon  his  land,  which  produced  stone  of 
an  excellent  quality ; he  soon  after  formed  a partnership  with 
John  Preston  and  James  Fernald  by  the  firm-name  of  Preston, 
Fernald  & Co.  They  shipped  their  stone  from  Knowlton’s 
wharf.  They  conducted  the  business  successfully  quite  a 
number  of  years. 

William  Hale  Knowlton  opened  up  the  Flat  Ledge  and 
conducted  the  business  several  years.  He  shipped  his  stone 
from  Knowlton’s  wharf,  which  he  now  owns. 

The  Pigeon  Hill  Granite  Company  was  formed  in  1870  by 
George  R.  Bradford,  Anson  Stimson,  Amos  Rowe  and  Levi 
Sewall,  and  is  next  in  capacity  to  its  neighbor,  the  “ Rock- 
port.”  Later,  Frank  Scripture  became  a member.  This  com- 
pany was  the  first  in  this  town  to  build  a railroad  by  which  to 
transport  the  products  of  their  quarries  to  their  wharves. 
Some  of  the  croakers  prophesied  that  the  cars  would  gain 
such  headway  in  running  down  the  steep  incline,  as  to  carry 
them  out  to  Salvages  before  they  could  be  stopped.  If  this 
prophecy  were  true,  the  advantage  gained  in  taking  stone  to 


242 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


the  breakwater  in  process  of  building  can  be  imagined.  The 
fact  is  the  cars  are  quite  easily  controlled  by  the  use  of  the 
brakes. 

To  Amos  Rowe  belongs  the  credit  of  cutting  up  the  largest 
boulder  on  the  Cape.  It  was  situated  near  the  top  of  Pigeon 
Hill,  and  was  estimated  to  weigh  more  than  two  thousand 
tons.  From  it  Mr.  Rowe  cut  thousands  of  feet  of  edge-stone 
and  a great  amount  of  other  marketable  stock.  The  stone 
was  of  good  quality  and  split  as  readily  as  the  granite  from 
the  quarries. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  stone  business,  and  for  quite  a 
number  of  years,  nearly  all  the  workmen  on  the  quarries 
came  from  Maine,  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont.  Most  of 
them  boarded  at  the  Pigeon  Hill  farm-house,  Capt.  Wheeler’s 
tavern  at  Pigeon  Cove,  and  at  Mr.  Wm.  Tarr’s,  who  occupied 
the  house  next  northerly  of  the  stone  house  now  owned  by 
the  Rockport  Granite  Co.  The  most  of  them  were  young 
men,  lively  and  full  of  fun;  for  the  greater  number  of  them, 
this  was  the  first  of  their  leaving  home.  They  usually  com- 
menced coming  about  the  first  of  March  and  by  the  first  of 
April  the  gangs  were  full.  It  was  no  ten-hour  system  or 
weekly  payments  in  those  days ; but  an  early  breakfast  and 
go  to  work;  one  hour  for  dinner,  and  then  a late  supper. 
Nearly  all  of  the  men  worked  by  the  month  at  a certain  rate 
and  board,  receiving  their  pay  at  the  end  of  the  season 
except  as  they  would  occasionally  call  for  a small  amount  of 
spending  money.  They  were  generally  frugal  and  reliable. 

In  later  years  when  the  employment  of  Irishmen  was  pro- 
posed it  met  with  vigorous  opposition.  The  house  which  was 
being  prepared  for  them  to  occupy  was  two  or  three  times 
blown  up  with  powder;  and  other  means  were  employed  to 
keep  out  the  unwelcome  immigrants.  This  prejudice,  how- 
ever, has  long  since  died  out,  and  all  nationalities  are  allowed 
to  work  unmolested. 

The  first  stone  known  to  have  been  shipped  from  Cape  Ann 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


243 


was  quarried  about  the  year  1800,  near  what  is  known  as 
Lobster  Cove.  It  was  moved  on  skids  to  the  shore  where  it 
was  loaded  on  a small  fishing-boat  and  taken  to  Newbury- 
port  to  be  used  as  a mill-stone. 

The  first  derrick  in  Sandy  Bay  was  erected  for  William 
Torrey,  in  1836,  and  was  placed  near  the  break  in  the  mount- 
ains a short  distance  to  the  westward  of  the  residence  of  the 
late  James  Fernald.  It  was  used  for  the  loading  of  stone  for 
the  breakwater  then  being  constructed  by  the  United  States 
Government  at  the  entrance  of  Long  Cove. 

The  first  pair  of  shears  was  built  and  erected  for  John 
Stimson,  and  was  considered  a marvel  of  strength  and 
convenience. 

The  first  California  pump  used  for  pumping  water  from  the 
quarries  was  made  by  Lewis  Lane  on  his  return  from  Cali- 
fornia, about  1854.  These  pumps  were  used  at  the  mines  in 
that  land  of  gold. 

Granite  was  first  split  by  means  of  flat  wedges  between 
shims  placed  in  flat  holes  made  by  a flat  chisel.  The  steel 
now  used  is  made  into  plug  wedges  and  driven  between  half- 
rounds  made  by  round  drills  sharpened  into  a V-shaped  point. 

Deep  holes  for  blasting  were  made  entirely  with  long  drills 
struck  by  sledge  hammers,  and  not  until  1883  was  a steam- 
drill  used  in  the  Rockport  quarries.  This  was  introduced  by 
the  Rockport  Granite  Co. 

The  first  steam-engine  used  in  the  quarries,  for  blasting  and 
pumping,  was  in  1853-54,  by  Wetherbee  & Page.  Before  this, 
hoisting  was  by  hand-power  or  cattle.  The  water  was  pumped 
by  hand  or  removed  by  syphon. 

This  company  for  several  years  owned  and  occupied  a part 
of  the  premises  now  owned  by  the  Rockport  Granite  Co. 

Preston,  Fernald  & Co.  were  the  next  to  adopt  steam-power 
for  hoisting  and  pumping.  Then  Eames,  Stimson  & Co.  fell 
into  line. 

The  sloop  John  Brooks,  Capt.  Locke,  was  the  first  stone 


244 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


freighter  that  was  provided  with  an  engine  for  hoisting  sails 
and  cargo.  This  was  in  the  year,  1857.  The  next  year  sloop 
New  Era,  Capt.  Levi  Cleaves,  and  the  sloop  Hard  Chance, 
Capt.  Willard  Cleaves,  were  provided  with  steam-power. 

The  first  stone  from  this  town  used  in  the  streets  of  Boston 
was  for  cross-walks  and  gutters ; next  came  the  large  Belgian 
blocks,  which  were  used  for  pavements.  Then  came  the 
New  York  blocks,  and  later  the  smaller  Boston  blocks. 

Nearly  every  city  in  the  United  States  has  been  supplied 
with  more  or  less  granite  from  this  section,  and  the  variety 
of  blocks  made  has  been  almost  as  great  as  the  number  of 
places  to  which  they  were  shipped. 

A paving  block  for  New  Orleans  would  make  fifteen  for 
New  York,  twenty  for  Philadelphia,  thirty  for  Boston.  Blocks 
have  also  been  sent  to  Cuba  and  Valparaiso.  In  1868,  Mr. 
Charles  Guidet  made  the  first  contract  for  paving  the  streets 
of  New  York  with  granite  blocks,  and  paved  the  lower  part 
of  Broadway  with  what  has  since  been  known  as  the  New 
York  block.  The  granite  quarries  of  Cape  Ann  are  com- 
paratively inexhaustible,  and  their  product  has  always  been 
prized  for  its  firm  texture,  high  crushing  test  and  freedom 
from  pyrites  and  other  impurities,  making  it  most  desirable 
for  paving  blocks,  building  and  monumental  purposes. 

The  parties  now  engaged  in  quarrying  are  the  Rockport 
Granite  Co.,  Pigeon  Hill  Granite  Co.,  Charles  Guidet,  Edwin 
Canney,  Ballou  & Mason,  Herbert  A.  Story,  Silas  N.  and 
Edgar  L.  Waite,  Bryant  Lurvey  & Co.,  James  and  John 
PMmands. 

The  Lanesville  Granite  Co.  is  comprised  of  Rockport  men, 
most  of  its  stockholders  being  residents  here,  though  its  plant 
is  located  at  Gloucester. 

There  are  from  four  to  five  hundred  men  employed  in  the 
different  branches  of  the  stone  business  in  our  town.  Twelve 
to  fifteen  vessels  are  constantly  employed  in  transporting  the 
products  of  our  quarries  to  home  ports,  while  a large  number 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


245 


of  vessels  bringing  freights  to  Eastern  ports,  take  return 
cargoes  of  paving  blocks  to  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Albany 
and  other  seaboard  cities,  either  for  use  at  places  of  discharge 
or  for  transportation  by  rail  to  inland  cities  and  towns. 

Some  of  the  old-time  masters  of  vessels  engaged  in  freighting 
stone  to  Boston  and  other  ports  were : Capts.  John,  Eben, 
Willard,  Levi,  Aaron  and  Moses  H.  Cleaves,  Capt.  Allen 
Pettingill  and  Capt.  Hamilton,  all  of  Maine,  and  Capt.  Hersey 
of  Quincy,  Mass. 

Rockport  Gleaner. 

In  the  year  1872,  Levi  Cleaves  commenced  to  publish  a 
local  paper  by  the  name  of  the  Rockport  Gleaner.  It  was 
published  as  an  advertising  sheet,  yet  it  contained  a good 
supply  of  reading  matter,  local  news,  &c.  It  was  issued 
monthly,  gratuitous,  was  a welcome  visitor  to  many  families, 
and  did  good  service  for  fifteen  years.  Early  in  the  year 
1887,  its  visits  ceased  to  the  regret  of  its  many  friends. 

Rockport  Review. 

The  Rockport  Review  was  established  in  town  in  the  month 
of  December,  1880,  by  H.  C.  Cheever.  He  was  proprietor 
and  editor.  He  had  a small  supply  of  type,  and  a press  of 
ancient  date;  but  he  was  possessed  of  a good  amount  of 
courage.  He  continued  its  publication  a few  years,  then  sold 
press,  type,  office  furniture  and  all  interest  in  the  paper,  to 
the  present  proprietor  and  editor,  Joseph  Leman.  He  has 
displaced  the  old  press  and  supplied  one  of  modern  date  and 
style,  and  other3naterial  required,  so  that  he  now  has  a well- 
equipped  office  and  is  well  fitted,  not  only  for  printing  the 
paper  but  also  for  various  styles  of  job  work.  The  paper  is 
issued  every  Saturday  from  the  office  on  Bearskin  Neck.  It 
is  quite  well  conducted,  receives  a fair  patronage  and  has 
every  appearance  that  it  has  come  to  stay.  Job  work  in  good 
variety  is  well  and  promptly  done,  and  well  executed  by  Editor 
Leman.  The  press  is  now  operated  by  steam-power. 


246 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Thatchers  and  Straitsmouth  Islands. 

The  present  light-houses  on  Thatcher’s  Island  were  com- 
pleted during  the  year  1861,  and  were  first  lighted  in  October 
of  that  year.  The  keepers  were  James  C.  Parsons,  principal; 
William  H.  Tarr,  Benj.  Parsons,  Jr.,  James  C.  Parsons,  Jr., 
assistants. 

In  1771,  the  Colonial  government  purchased  this  island 
(which  contains  about  eighty  acres,  the  most  part  of  which  is 
of  good  soil  and  affords  rich  pasturage)  of  Joseph  Allen,  for 
five  hundred  pounds,  and  the  same  year  erected  two  light- 
houses and  a dwelling-house  thereon.  They  were  lighted  the 
first  time  on  the  2 1 st  day  of  December,  1 77 1 . One  Kirkwood 
was  keeper.  Early  in  the  Revolutionary  War  he  was  forcibly 
removed  by  a company  of  private  men  as  his  sentiments 
were  not  in  accordance  with  the  patriotic  sentiments  of  the 
people  of  the  town. 

The  first  light-house  on  Straitsmouth  Island  and  dwelling- 
house  were  built  in  1835,  and  it  was  lighted  about  the  close  of 
the  year.  Benj.  W.  Andrews  was  keeper.  He  died  on  the 
island,  after  a few  years  service,  and  in  1841  Capt.  John  Davis 
succeeded  him  as  keeper. 

The  present  light-house  was  built  in  1 8 5 1 , and  was  first 
lighted  towards  the  close  of  that  year. 

Harbor  of  Refuge. 

Since  the  construction  of  the  breakwater  at  the  entrance  of 
Long  Cove  (in  1836  to  ’40)  the  question  of  the  need  of  a 
harbor  of  refuge  off  of  this  coast,  of  sufficient  capacity  to 
accommodate  the  great  number  of  coast-wise  vessels  of  the 
North  Atlantic,  and  those  also  engaged  in  foreign  trade,  has 
from  time  to  time  been  agitated  and  discussed,  not  only  upon 
the  Cape  but  in  other  towns  along  the  coast  interested  in 
commerce.  A result  of  this  agitation  was  a public  meeting  in 
Haskins’  hall  on  the  29th  day  of  March,  1882,  The  room 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


247 


was  well  filled,  the  audience  were  enthusiastic.  The  meeting 
organized  by  the  choice  of  John  W.  Marshall,  moderator;  J. 
Loring  Woodfall,  secretary.  After  some  discussion  a com- 
mittee was  chosen  to  draft  a petition  to  Congress  asking  for  a 
survey  of  Sandy  Bay,  having  in  view  the  construction  of  a 
breakwater  and  a harbor  of  refuge.  Accordingly  a petition 
was  drafted,  and  copies  thereof  were  circulated  in  the  cities 
and  towns  on  the  Atlantic  coast  from  Eastport  to  Baltimore. 
These  petitions  were  signed  by  a great  number  of  ship  owners, 
ship  masters,  merchants,  and  others  interested  in  commerce 
and  the  welfare  of  those  who  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships. 
These  petitions  were  presented  to  Congress,  were  favorably 
considered,  a survey  was  ordered,  and  in  the  year  1883 
was  made  by  assistant  United  States  Engineer,  Sophus  Hau- 
genson,  under  the  direction  of  Major  C.  W.  Raymond,  of  the 
corps  of  United  States  engineers,  and  in  charge  of  this  district. 

In  his  report  made  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  November  28, 
1883,  he  recommended  the  building  of  a breakwater  that  shall 
enclose  one  thousand  three  hundred  and  seventy-seven  acres 
of  water  (1377),  twenty-four  (24)  feet  deep  at  mean  low  tide. 
He  estimated  the  cost  of  this  structure  at  four  millions  of 
dollars,  ($4,000,000.)  Congress  has  made  three  appropriations  v 
for  this  great  work,  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  each, 
(300.000.)  General  Thom,  of  the  board  of  United  States 
Engineers,  formerly  in  charge  of  this  district,  had  previously 
called  the  attention  of  the  general  government  to  this  good 
work. 

To  the  untiring_efiforts  of  Colonel  Eben  F.  Stone,  as  member 
of  Congress  from  this  district,  is  due  much  of  the  credit 
for  the  commencement  of  this  work,  so  important  not  only 
to  the  maritime  interests  of  the  North  Atlantic,  but  to  the 
commerce  of  the  nation  at  large ; and  to  General  Cogswell, 
our  present  Congressman,  for  its  continuance. 

The  first  contract,  calling  for  the  delivery  of  128,000  tons 
of  stone,  more  or  less,  on  the  line  of  the  breakwater,  was  taken 


248 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


by  the  Rockport  and  the  Pigeon  Hill  Granite  Cos.,  at  58  3-10 
cents  per  ton.  The  first  load  of  stone  was  dumped  from  the 
sloop  Screamer,  Capt.  Albert  Pittee,  the  12th  day  of  Novem- 
ber, 1885.  Amos  Rowe,  one  of  the  committee,  was  present, 
as  was  Charles  S.  Rogers,  agent  of  the  Rockport  Granite  Co., 
assistant  engineer  T.  T.  H.  Harwood,  and  several  gentlemen 
from  Boston.  At  12.26  P.  M.,  the  first  stone  broke  loose  from 
its  sling  amid  the  cheers  of  all  on  board  the  vessel,  and  the 
screams  from  the  whistle  of  the  steamer  and  the  engine  of  the 
sloop. 

The  next  contract  which  called  for  1 50,000  tons  of  stone, 
more  or  less,  to  be  delivered  on  the  line  of  the  breakwater, 
was  taken  by  the  Rockport  and  Pigeon  Hill  Granite  Cos., 
at  seventy-one  cents  per  ton.  And  the  third  contract  which 
calls  for  about  the  same  amount  of  stone  was  taken  by  the 
same  parties  at  about  the  same  price  per  ton. 

This  good  work  now  occupies  a place  in  the  United  States 
Engineers’  book  of  estimates  ; therefore  as  they  consider  the 
amount  needed  for  the  construction  and  completion  of  works 
already  commenced,  and  for  the  improvement  of  our  rivers 
and  harbors,  we  see  no  reason  why  this  important  work  will 
not  receive  its  share  of  their  attention. 

Colonel  Gillespie,  United  States  engineer  for  this  district, 
recommended  by  his  last  report  an  appropriation  of  $250,000 
for  this  important  work.  The  stone  called  for  by  the  third 
contract  is  now  being  dumped  every  day,  except  Sunday, 
when  the  weather  is  suitable. 

Buildings  Burned  and  Damaged  by  Fire. 

The  first  dwelling-house  burned  in  Sandy  Bay  was  a farm- 
house on  South  street,  owned  by  Mr.  Solomon  Pool  and 
brothers.  It  was  in  1830,  in  the  daytime. 

On  the  night  of  December  5th,  1843,  fire  was  discovered 
about  midnight  just  breaking  out  of  Mr.  James  Pool’s  barn  in 
rear  of  his  dwelling-house ; from  this  it  soon  communicated 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


249 


to  his  dwelling,  then  to  Mr.  Solomon  Pool’s  house  and  barns, 
and  the  dwelling-house  and  barn  of  Samuel  H.  Brooks.  There 
were  three  dwelling-houses  and  six  or  eight  barns  and  out- 
buildings, three  or  four  of  which  were  quite  large;  there 
was  also  quite  a quantity  of  hay  and  vegetables  destroyed. 
Our  fire  department  consisted  of  two  tub  engines,  manned 
each  by  thirty  men,  and  the  bucket  brigade.  One  of  our 
citizens  rode  horseback  to  Gloucester  and  gave  the  alarm.  An 
engine  well  manned  soon  put  in  an  appearance  and  did  good 
service.  The  tenement  house  on  High  street,  then  owned  by 
Samuel  H.  Brooks,  though  standing  within  twelve  feet  of  the 
one  burned,  was  saved. 

In  the  year  1855,  a barn  on  South  street,  owned  by  Asa 
Todd,  was  struck  by  lightning  and  destroyed  with  several 
tons  of  hay. 

In  the  year  1857,  Andrew  Bickford’s  barn  on  Main  street 
was  burned. 

Capt.  Charles  Tarr’s  barn,  on  South  street,  was  struck  by 
lightning  in  August,  1859,  and  was  consumed  with  several 
tons  of  hay.  Several  persons  were  in  the  barn  at  the  time 
but  received  no  material  injury. 

October  12,1 865 , about  three  o’clock,  A.  M.,  during  a heavy 
shower,  Alden  C.  Estes’  barn,  on  South  street,  was  struck  by 
lightning  and  was  totally  consumed  with  all  its  contents, 
about  fifteen  tons  of  hay,  a lot  of  grain  and  farming  tools. 
— Insurance,  $500. 

D.  Smith  Gott’s  barn,  some  three  or  four  rods  distant,  was 
caught  by  flyinglembers  and  was  totally  destroyed,  together 
with  several  tons  of  hay,  a lot  of  vegetables  and  farming  tools. 
— No  insurance. 

Sunday  Morning,  May  2d,  1875,  the  Methodist  church  was 
totally  destroyed  by  fire.  This  was  a severe  loss  to  the 
society.  One  policy  of  insurance  had  been  suffered  to  expire, 
so  that  after  paying  the  debt  upon  the  building,  they  had  but 


250 


HISTORY  OF  R0CKP0RT. 


about  $3,000.00  on  hand  toward  erecting  another  church 
building. 

May  1 6th,  1879,  Edward  Maguire’s  house,  Pigeon  Cove, 
was  damaged  by  fire  $400.00. 

On  the  morning  of  December  8th,  1875,  a large  barn  on 
School  street,  owned  by  Jabez  Rowe,  was  destroyed  by  fire, 
with  a lot  of  hay,  a horse,  cow  and  carriage. 

June  2d,  1880,  a barn  owned  by  George  J.  Tarr,  on  Main 
street,  was  totally  destroyed  by  fire.  Loss  about  $800.00. 

May  22d,  the  same  year,  the  Glue  Works  at  Beaver  Dam, 
were  burned.  Loss,  $1,000.00. 

December  3d,  1880,  a barn  on  Main  street,  owned  by  the 
►estate  of  Epes  Tarr,  was  burned.  Loss  about  $800.00. 

April  7th,  1882,  Jacob  Goldsmith’s  barn,  on  High  street, 
was  burned.  Loss,  $1  50.00. 

July  25th,  the  same  year,  barn  of  James  W.  Bradley,  on 
Prospect  street,  was  burned,  and  his  dwelling-house  was  dam- 
aged by  fire.  Loss  about  $800.00. 

October  17th,  the  same  year,  Frank  Malonson’s  barn,  on 
Main  street,  was  burned.  Loss,  $150.00. 

The  summer  residence  of  M.  H.  Young,  at  South  End, 
was  totally  destroyed  by  fire  in  1883. 

March  1 8th,  the  same  year,  the  Sheridan  House  and  stable 
were  partially  destroyed  by  fire.  Supposed  incendiary. 

Sunday  morning,  December  9th,  1883,  about  seven  o’clock, 
the  Annisquam  mill  took,  fire ; there  were  two  or  three  per- 
sons within,  who  were  about  to  make  some  slight  repairs.  In 
a moment,  as  it  were,  access  to  the  water  tanks  was  cut  off, 
and  the  devouring  element  had  full  sway.  Our  local  fire 
department  was  promptly  on  hand,  but  was  not  equal  to  the 
occasion.  Help  was  asked  from  Gloucester  and  Salem;  each 
quickly  responded,  and  sent  a steamer  which  did  good 
service.  The  Corporation  houses  and  the  Baptist  church  for 
awhile  seemed  in  imminent  peril,  but  the  firemen  succeeded 
in  keeping  the  fire  within  the  limits  of  the  mill,  which  within 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKFORT. 


25 


two  hours  was  a heap  of  ruins.  This  was  a serious  loss, 
perhaps  not  so  great  to  the  stockholders  as  the  property  was 
quite  well  insured  ; but  the  loss  to  the  town  was  the  throwing 
of  about  two  hundred  and  forty  persons  out  of  employment. 
This  mill  for  several  years  was  regularly  operated,  and  the 
few  later  years  paid  fair  dividends. 

August  1 8th,  1884,  .a  stable  owned  by  George  H.  Bradley, 
and  occupied  by  Manley  Littlefield  as  stable  and  storehouse, 
was  destroyed  by  fire.  Insurance  on  stock,  $375.00.  Loss 
on  building  and  stock,  $800.00.  A building  near  by,  owned 
by  the  Sandy  Bay  Pier  Co.,  and  occupied  by  John  Hooper  & 
Son,  was  damaged,  building  and  stock,  $275.00.  No  insur- 
ance. 

September  27th,  1888,  the  Seacroft  House,  at  the  South 
End,  was  totally  destroyed  by  fire. 

Probably  there  have  been  other  buildings  or  property 
destroyed  by  fire  that  we  fail  to  call  to  mind. 


By  permission  we  publish  the  following : 

THE  SEA-SERPENT. 


BY  GRANVILLE  B.  PUTNAM,  FRANKLIN  SCHOOL,  BOSTON. 

It  has  been  my  belief  for  some  years  that  there  is  some 
fitful,  gigantic  wanderer  inhabiting  the  ocean ; but,  as  I had 
never  investigated  the  subject  or  even  read  upon  it,  my 
impressions  were  vague  and  undefined.  On  the  afternoon 
of  August  1 2th,  about  1.15,  I was  engaged  in  the  study  of 
Professor  Farlow’s  work  upon  algae,  when  I heard  the  voice 
of  Calvin  W.  Pool,  town  clerk  of  Rockport,  at  the  door  of  my 
cottage  at  Pigeon  Cove,  saying,  “ There  is  some  strange  thing 
in  the  water;  I think  it  is  the  sea-serpent.”  I quickly  took  my 
station  upon  the  rail  of  my  piazza,  so  that  my  marine  glass 
was  about  fifty  feet  above  the  water  and  but  thirty-six  feet 
from  the  shore.  The  creature  was  advancing  in  a northerly 


252 


HISTOR  V OF  ROCKPORT. 


direction,  and  but  little  more  than  an  eighth  of  a mile  from 
me.  I saw  it  approaching,  passing  and  departing,  and  watched 
it  most  attentively  for  about  ten  minutes.  Judging  by  the 
apparent  length  of  yachts,  whose  dimensions  I know,  as  they 
appear  at  that  distance,  I estimated  the  length  to  have  been 
not  less  than  eighty  feet.  The  head  seemed  short,  and  about 
the  size  of  a nail  cask,  while  the  middle  of  the  body  was 
larger  than  that  of  a large  man.  The  color  was  a dark  brown, 
and  it  appeared  to  be  somewhat  mottled  with  a lighter  shade. 
As  the  head  was  at  no  time  raised  above  the  water,  I could 
not  determine  the  color  of  the  throat.  The  surface  of  the  head 
and  back  was  very  smooth,  and  no  one  of  the  forty  or  more 
persons  who  saw  it  detected  anything  that  looked  like  a fin  or 
flipper. 

Its  movement  was  not  that  of  a land-serpent,  but  a vertical 
one,  resembling  that  of  a leech  or  the  bloodsuckers  of  my 
boyhood.  I could  distinctly  see  fifteen  feet  of  the  forward 
portion  of  the  body,  while  back  of  that,  the  convolutions 
being  greater,  the  depressions  were  below  the  surface,  so  as  to 
present  a series  of  ridges,  some  ten  or  fifteen  in  number  at  a 
time.  The  extremity  of  the  tail  was  not  visible.  During 
nearly  the  whole  passage  of  a mile  and  a quarter,  either  the 
muzzle  or  cranium  cut  the  water  so  as  to  lead  several  to  ex- 
claim, “His  head  is*white!”  This  fact  .would  remove  the 
possibility  of  its  being  anything  floating  with  the  tide.  The 
cutting  of  the  water  was  by  something  at  least  a foot  wide, 
and  caused  wakes  on  either  side.  From  my  elevated  position 
I could  plainly  see  the  movements  of  the  body  between  them, 
while  the  rear  portion  caused  another  wake  behind.  Its 
course  was  a direct  one,  and  its  speed  uniform,  and  not  more 
than  five  miles  an  hour.  When  it  reached  a point  about  a 
half  mile  north  of  us,  the  undulatory  movement  seemed  to 
cease,  and  the  body  was  for  a moment  extended  along  the 
surface.  There  was  then  an  apparent  gathering  of  the  caudal 
extremity  into  ridges  nearer  together  than  those  previously 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


253 


seen,  after  which  he  disappeared.  I judged  that  this  latter 
movement  was  to  aid  in  diving,  but  of  course  this  is  only 
conjecture. 

On  the  19th,  a week  later,  the  same  creature,  or  one  like  it, 
appeared  north  of  us,  going  in  an  easterly  direction,  and, 
although  perhaps  a half-mile  away,  it  was  distinctly  seen  by 
Rev.  David  Brewer,  assistant  pastor  of  Park  Street  Church, 
Boston,  by  his  wife  and- servants  and  by  several  others.  My 
attention  was  not  called  in  season  to  permit  me  to  observe 
anything  of  additional  interest.  , 

From  a careful  study,  I am  satisfied  that  the  two  localities 
most  visited  are  the  coasts  of  Norway  and  Cape  Ann  and 
vicinity,  both  rocky  shores.  The  limits  of  this  article  preclude 
any  reference  to  the  former,  and  but  a bare  mention  can 
be  made  of  the  latter.  I find  the  following  well-authenticated 
visits  to  these  shores  since  the  opening  of  the  present  century : 


Gloucester, 

« 


Nahant, 

Swampscott,. 
Nahant, 

Lynn, 

Swampscott, 

Nahant, 

Gloucester, . 


June  20,  1815 

Aug.  10-28,  1817 
. . Aug.  — , 1818 
..  “ 19,  1819 

“ IO,  1820 
. . . July  12,  1823 

. . . , 1826 

--  - July  — , 1833 

---  “ — 1849 

...  “ 30,1875 

---  “ 15,  1877 


The  reports  concerning  these  have  not  come  from  ignorant 
and  unreliable  men,  but  from  such  gentlemen  as  Colonel 
Thomas  H.  Perkins  of  Boston,  Chaplain  Finch  of  the  United 
States  Navy,  Samuel  Cabot  of  Brookline,  James  Prince,  United 
States  Marshal,  Rev.  Arthur  Lawrence  of  Stockbridge,  Hon. 
Lonson  Nash  of  Gloucester  and  B.  F.  Newhall  of  Saugus,  as 
well  as  from  intelligent  captains,  sailors  and  fishermen.  I 
would  gladly  give  the  details  of  these  reports,  but  can  only 


254 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


say  in  this  article  that  I am  surprised  to  find  such  a substantial 
agreement  between  these  statements  and  my  own,  as  given 
in  the  Boston  Journal  and  the  Cape  Ann  Breeze.  In  length, 
in  color,  in  movement,  in  size,  in  speed,  as  usually  seen,  and 
in  the  manner  of  cutting  the  water,  our  accounts  so  agree 
that  I could  give  a complete  account  in  the  words  of  others 
written  years  since,  and  which  I affirm  I had  never  seen. 

I am  frequently  asked,  “ If  there  be  such  a thing  as  a sea- 
serpent,  why  is  he  not  oftener  seen  ? ” I must  frankly  say, 
“ I do  not  know,”  and  yet  I . can  present  some  suggestions 
which  satisfy  my  own  mind.  In  the  first  place,  large  animals 
are  not  numerous.  Eagles  are  less  abundant  than  mosquitoes, 
elephants  than  mice,  whales  than  mackerel.  Again,  Bishop 
Pontoppidan  wrote,  one  hundred  and  thirty  years  ago,  “ This 
creature  keeps  himself  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  excepting  in 
the  months  of  July  and  August,  which  is  their  spawning 
season.”  If  this  is  true,  as  the  dates  just  given  would  prove 
it  to  be,  the  time  is  short  when  it  may  be  expected  to  appear. 
Again  the  bishop  says,  “ They  come  to  the  surface  in  calm 
weather,  but  plunge  into  the  water  again  as  soon  as  the  wind 
raises  the  least  wave.”  I reported  the  sea  as  a dead  calm, 
and  such  has  been  the  case  almost  always,  I think.  It  has 
been  so  in  every  case  but  one  which  I have  noticed,  so  that 
the  conditions  in  this  respect  are  not  often  favorable.  Again, 
it  may  be  that,  like  the  great  sea  turtles,  it  is  most  active  in 
the  night,  when  it  would  be  least  observed,  and  again  we  must 
remember  that  the  ocean  is  vast,  and  that  but  an  infinitesimal 
portion  of  its  surface  is  at  any  time  being  scanned  by  the 
human  eye. 

I have  now  described  the  object  which  came  under  my 
observation.  I shall  not  attempt  to  classify  it.  Whether  it 
belongs  to  the  mammalia,  reptilia  or  pisces,  whether  it  be 
ophidian,  cetacean  or  saurian,  I must  leave  it  to  the  naturalist 
to  determine.  I am  no  stranger  by  the  sea.  A love  for  its 
beauty  and  grandeur,  in  calm  and  storm,  as  well  as  a fondness 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


•Vf 

255 

for  the  study  of  its  teeming  life,  both  animal  and  vegetable, 
minute  as  well  as  gigantic,  has  led  me  to  spend  eighteen 
summers  upon  its  very  verge.  This  experience  makes  me 
sure  that  no  one  who  saw  what  I did  would  ever  entertain  the 
suggestion  that  it  was  a school  of  porpoises,  a grampus,  or  a 
horse-mackerel.  Because  some  have  been  deceived  by  these, 
or  a floating  spar,  or  a mass  of  seaweed,  it  does  not  follow  that 
others  have  not  seen  a genuine  monster.  Professor  Silliman, 
in  his  Journal  of  Science,  says : “We  are  ourselves  not 
skeptical.  We  do  not  see  how  such  evidence  as  was  presented 
by  Dr.  Jacob  Bigelow,  in  our  second  volume,  can  be  set 
aside.”  Professor  Agassiz  informs  us  that  “ it  would  be  in 
precise  conformity  with  analogy  that  such  an  animal  should 
exist  in  American  seas.  I see  no  chance  to  doubt  that  some 
huge  animal  with  outward  form  much  like  a serpent  did  some- 
times visit  these  shores.” 

Professor  Richard  A.  Proctor  writes:  “Naturalists  have  been 
far  less  incredulous  than  the  general  public.  We  confess 
we  do  not  well  see  how  such  a chain  of  probabilities  can  be 
readily  set  aside.”  Professor  Gosse  says:  “Are  not  the  facts 
sufficiently  weighty  to  restrain  us  from  rejecting  so  great 
an  amount  of  testimony?  I express  my  own  confident 
persuasion  that  there  exists  some  oceanic  animal  of  immense 
size  which  has  not  yet  been  received  into  the  category  of 
scientific  zoology.”  Professor  J.  G.  Wood  remarks  that  “ it 
does  require  some  courage  to  face  the  alternative  of  being 
either  ridiculed  as  an  ignorant  fool,  or  denounced  as  a con- 
temptible impostor,  but  such  is  the  ordeal  through  which  all 
have  to  pass  who  venture  to  assert  that  they  have  seen  the 
sea-serpent.” 

There  are  many  grains  of  truth  in  this  assertion,  yet  I have 
never  regretted  that  I offered  my  report  to  the  public  , for  I am 
confident  that  the  time  will  come  when  its  candid  judgment 
will  be  assured  of  the  existence  of  this  denizen  of  the  deep. 


256 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


Donation  of  a Clock , by  John  G.  Dennis , Esq. 

A special  town  meeting  was  held  on  the  1 8th  day  of  April, 
1885,  by  adjournment. 

At  said  meeting  the  following  resolution  was  presented  by 
Nath’l  F.  S.  York,  Esq.,  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Selectmen  : 

Resolved , “ That  we  citizens  of  Rockport,  in  town  meeting 
assembled,  do  hereby  tender  to  our  esteemed  friend  and  fellow- 
citizen,  John  G.  Dennis,  Esq.,  our  sincere  thanks  and  grateful 
acknowledgments  for  the  donation  of  the  beautiful  clock  which 
he  has  generously  made  to  his  native  town,  and  has  placed 
upon  the  gallery  of  this  hall.” 

The  foregoing  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted  by  a 
rising  vote.  It  was  also  voted  that  the  resolution  be  assigned 
a place  in  the  history  of  the  town,  now  being  prepared  for 
publication. 

Mr.  Dennis  represented  the  town  at  the  last  session  of  the 
General  Court,  (1885.)  He  died  after  a short  illness,  on  the 
29th  day  of  June,  the  same  year,  respect  and  lamented.  He 
always  manifested  a deep  interested  in  the  welfare  of  this  his 
native  town.  He  left  a family  of  four  daughters. 

Old-Time  Fishing  Boats. 

A description  of  the  old-time  fishing  boats,  though  perhaps 
out  of  place,  may  be  of  interest  to  some.  These  boats  were 
fitted  with  two  masts,  and  were  minus  shrouds  or  stays.  They 
were  called  Chebacco  or  standing-room  boats,  and  were  from 
eight  to  twenty  tons  measurement,  pink  stern.  The  floor  of  the 
standing-room  was  about  three  feet  below  the  deck  ; the  room 
extended  to  within  two  feet  of  the  waist  or  gunwale,  and  was 
about  three  and  a half  feet  wide  ; from  the  forward  standing- 
room  was  the  entrance  to  the  cuddy  or  the  cooking  and 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


25  7 


sleeping  room.  There  were  two  of  these  standing-rooms  on 
forward  and  one  abaft  the  main  hatchway.  The  third  man  (the 
crew  generally  consisted  of  three  men  or  two  men  and  a boy) 
when  not  engaged  in  cooking,  or  in  other  duties  that  belonged 
to  his  office,  stood  in  the  main  hatchway  and  fished.  These 
boats  were  encircled  by  a waist  or  gunwale  about  eight  or 
nine  inches  wide  above  the  deck.  The  stem  of  the  boat  was 
about  two  and  a half  feet  high  above  the  deck ; this  stem  was 
convenient  to  haul  the  hawser  over  when  taking  • up  the 
anchor.  It  was  over  this  stem  that  the  iron  collar  was  placed 
when  the  boat  was  at  her  moorings.  The  mooring  extended 
to  two  stumps  which  were  oak  trees  divested  of  their  branches 
and  most  of  their  roots,  and  were  put  through  a hole  in  a flat 
stone  weighing  from  fo.ur  to  six  tons ; there  was  an  eight  or 
nine  inch  cable,  each  end  secured  to  a stump;  midway  of  the 
cable  was  a stout  iron  chain  with  an  iron  collar  that  fitted 
over  the  boat’s  stem.  In  this  way,  there  were  at  times  fifty 
or  sixty  of  these  boats  moored  in  Long  Cove,  and  a consider- 
able number  at  Pigeon  Cove.  Up  to  the  year  1820  to  1825, 
all  of  the  fishing  boats  were  standing-room.  It  was  hardly 
thought  men  could  stand  on  deck  and  fish.  We  remember 
that  Mr.  James  Pool  bought  a boat  {t  Dart,”  she  was  probably 
twenty  to  twenty-five  tons,  she  was  larger  than  most  of  the 
boats  of  that  time.  She  was  decked  when  he  purchased  her. 
He  had  her  changed  to  standing-room  ; but  within  a few  years 
from  this  a change  came  over  the  people  and  this  same  boat 
“ Dart  ” was  changed  to  a decked  boat,  as  within  a few  years 
all  others  were.  The  old-time  boats  were  pink  stern,  that  is 
they  narrowed  gradually  from  midships  to  abaft  to  a point.  The 
gunwale  was  gradually  raised  and  extended  to  little  abaft  the 
stern  post.  This  arrangement  was  convenient  for  spreading 
the  nets  to  dry.  These  boats  were  considered  quite  safe  and 
were  of  good  sailing  qualities. 

One  of  this  style  boats  was  at  a wharf  in  New  York,  when 
a sailor,  after  looking  her  over,  enquired  if  she  would  sail  as 


258 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKPORT. 


fast  one  end  to  as  the  other,  the  reply  “Yes,  and  a great 
deal  faster.” 


Highways  and  Town  Ways. 

The  highway  from  Annisquam  to  Pigeon  Cove  was  laid 
out  and  recorded  by  the  selectmen  of  Gloucester,  October 
2 1st,  1707.  It  was  continued  through  Pigeon  Cove  and  over 
Back  Beach  and  Hale’s  Point,  to  Pool’s  Bridge,  in  or  about 
1716.  There  were  bars  or  gates  across  this  road  until  about 
the  year  1 800. 

The  highway  from  the  first  parish  meeting-house,  through 
the  parting  paths  and  over  Beaver  Dam  Brook,  up  the  Great 
Hill,  and  on  by  Richard  Tarr’s  house,  to  the  brook,  or  Pool’s 
Bridge,  was  laid  out  and  recorded  by  the  selectmen  of 
Gloucester,  June  2d,  1707. 

The  highway  from  the  head  of  Long  Coye  and  over  Cove 
Hill,  (Mt.  Pleasant)  and  over  South  street  by  Peter  Bennett’s 
house,  over  the  Marsh  and  Beach  by  Salt  Island  to  connect 
with  the  road  through  the  Farms  to  Witham’s  Corner  on  the 
Gloucester  road,  was  laid  out  and  recorded  by  the  selectmen 
of  Gloucester  in  1708.  This  road  was  laid  four  rods  wide. 
We  fail  to  find  any  record  of  a road  from  Pool’s  bridge  through 
Sandy  Bay  village  to  the  head  of  Long  Cove. 

High  street  was  laid  open  for  public  travel  by  the  selectmen 
about  1820  to  1825.  Its  former  name  was  Pasture  Lane. 
It  was  formerly  a cow  path  and  open  as  far  up  as  the  dwelling- 
house  of  the -late  Wm.  B.  Haskins,  before  it  was  laid  out  as 
a street  over  land  of  Dea.  Abraham  H.  Pool,  to  Main  street. 

Gott  street  was  laid  out  by  the  selectmen  as  a town  way  in 
1838. 

The  road  over  Back  Beach  was  graded  and  fitted  for  public 
travel  in  1836.  Azor  Knowlton  did  the  work  by  contract. 

Pleasant  street  and  a part  of  School  street  were  laid  out  and 
opened  for  public  travel  by  Capt.  John  Gott,  over  his  land, 
about  the  year  1836. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


259 


School  street,  from  Main  to  High,  was  laid  out  by  the 
County  Commissioners  about  the  year  1837. 

About  the  year  1836,  Mr.  Andrew  Lane  laid  out  Prospect 
street,  over  his  land,  for  public  travel. 

During  the  year  1847,  a stock  or  land  company  purchased 
quite  an  extensive  tract  of  land  of  Mr.  David  Brooks  and 
others  in  the  center  of  the  village,  and  laid  out  and  built 
Broadway.  Over  this  purchase  they  laid  out  lots  each  side  of 
the  street  and  put  them  upon  the  market,  with  the  restriction 
that  no  building  should  be  placed  within  ten  feet  of  the  line 
of  the  road.  John  W.  Hadlock  built  the  first  house  upon  this 
street.  It  is  now  occupied  by  Wakefield  Hodgkins  as  a store. 
In  the  year  1852,  this  company  offered  the  street  (Broadway) 
and  all  the  by-way  privileges  to  the  town  without  cost ; the 
town  by  vote  accepted  the  proposition. 

Cleaves  street  was  laid  out  by  the  selectmen  about  the  year 
1855. 

Smith  street,  from  King  to  Beach  street,  was  laid  out  by  the 
selectmen  in  1856.  Cost  of  construction  was  $117.00. 

The  line  of  the  highway  near  the  Babson  farm  and  Gallup’s 
Folly  was  changed  by  the  county  commissioners  in  1852,  at  a 
cost  to  the  town,  for  construction,  of  five  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  dollars ; other  improvements  on  the  highway  at  Pigeon 
Cove  were  made  by  the  same  order  at  a cost  of  four  hundred 
and  ten  dollars. 

Marshall  street  was  laid  out  by  the  selectmen,  accepted  and 
built  by  the  town  in  1856,  at  a cost,  including  land  damages, 
of  four  hundred  and  eighty-nine  dollars. 

In  the  year  1857,  Pleasant  street  from  the  junction  of 
Marshall  street  to  the  cemetery  gate  was  laid  out  by  the 
selectmen  and  constructed  by  the  town  at  a cost,  including 
land  damage,  of  four  hundred  and  eighty-nine  dollars. 

Broadway  Avenue,  from  High  street  to  Broadway  was  laid 
out  by  the  selectmen  in  1859,  and  constructed  in  i860,  at  a 


26o 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


cost  of  seven  hundred  and  eleven  dollars,  including  land 
damage. 

Railroad  Avenue,  from  Main  to  King  street,  was  laid  out 
by  the  county  commissioners  in  1861,  and  was  built  by  the 
town  in  1 861-62,  at  a cost,  including  land  damage,  of  $3834.20. 

The  construction  of  Summer  to  Prospect  street  was  in  the 
year  1872,  at  a cost  of  $563.07. 

Forest  street,  from  King  to  Granite  street,  was  laid  out  by 
the  county  commissioners  and  built  by  the  town  in  1874,  at 
a cost,  including  land  damage,  of  $1599.00. 

Improvement  of  Granite  street,  from  Ephraim  Nickerson’s 
to  Samuel  Parker’s  house,  as  ordered  by  the  county  commis- 
sioners in  1872,  was  completed  by  the  town  in  1873-74,  at  a 
cost  of  $6751.37,  less  by  the  amount  allowed  by  the  county 
of  $1325.00;  total  cost  to  the  town,  $5426.37.  One  item  of 
this  improvement  called  for  the  reducing  the  hill  near  Wm. 
H.  Knowlton’s  premises,  three  and  a half  feet,  and  the  filling 
of  the  valley  three  and  a half  feet,  reducing  the  grade  of  the 
hill  seven  feet.  This  job  was  let  to  Benjamin  Hale;  he 
succeeded  in  completing  the  contract  by  his  good  manage- 
ment without  obstructing  the  public  travel,  and  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  the  community. 

During  the  year  1870,  the  town  expended  in  improving  the 
highway  at  Folly  Cove,  $265.00. 

The  same  year  (1870,)  the  town  expended  in  the  improve- 
ment of  Mt.  Pleasant  street,  $404.00. 

During  the  year  1871,  the  town  expended  in  improving  the 
highway  at  Pigeon  Cove,  $604.00. 

In  the  year  1872,  an  improvement  of  School  street,  from 
Main  street  to  Broadway,  was  made  at  a cost,  including  damage, 
of  $631.00. 

In  the  year  1873,  Jewett  street  was  laid  out  by  the  selectmen 
and  built  in  1 874,  at  a cost  of  $893.50,  including  land  damage. 

Parker  street  was  laid  out  by  the  county  commissioners  in 
1 88c,  and  was  built  by  the  town  in  188 1,  at  a cost  of  $3348.88, 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


261 


Improvements  on  South  street,  as  ordered  by  the  county 
commissioners  in  1 876,  were  made  in  1&77-78-79-80-81-82-83- 
84,  at  a cost  of  $2092.68.  The  improvements  ordered  by  the 
commissioners  are  not  yet  completed,  and  there  is  an  unex- 
pended balance  of  the  appropriations  that  were  made  of 
$375-32* 

The  Pool’s  Hill  road  was  laid  out  by  the  selectmen  in  1885. 
There  was  expended  in  its  improvement  in  1886,  $386.49. 

Curtis  street,  at  Pigeon  Cove,  was  laid  out  by  the  selectmen 
in  1885  ; a portion  of  it  was  completed  in  1886,  at  a cost  of 
$1089.92. 

About  the  year  1855,  Mr.  Eben  B.  Phillips  purchased  at 
Pigeon  Cove,  of  John  W.  Wheeler  and  others,  a large  tract  of 
pasture  and  wood-land,  and  soon  commenced  to  lay  out  and 
construct  avenues  over  the  same.  He  also  added  to  his  first 
purchase  until  it  included  Andrews  and  Halibut  Point.  There 
are  now  over  this  territory  miles  of  good  smooth  road,  by  the 
line  of  which  are  many  pleasant  and  attractive  summer 
cottages.  These  avenues  taken  in  connection  with  that  over 
Sunset  Hill,  and  others  over  the  Babson  Farm  constructed 
during  these  later  years  by  the  Misses  Babson  and  Gaffield, 
constitute  as  pleasant  a drive  as  can  be  found  anywhere 
within  our  good  old  county  of  Essex.  On  one  side  in  the 
near  distance  is  the  broad  Atlantic  in  full  view;  on  the  other, 
trees  and  shrubbery  in  great  variety.  In  fact  we  think  it 
would  be  hard  to  find  a more  pleasant  drive  than  that  from 
the  Gloucester  line  at  Folly  Cove,  over  the  main  street  to 
Sunset  Hill,  then  over  Phillips’  Avenue  to  Granite  street, 
through  Pigeon  Cove  to  Beach  street,  to  Main  through  Sandy 
Bay,  then  over  Mt.  Pleasant  and  South  streets,  to  the  Long 
Beach. 


262 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Exhumation  and  Re-Interment  of  the  Remains  of  John  Pool 
and  his  Wives. 

A small  congregation  of  men  assembled  near  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Ephraim  Nickerson,  corner  of  Railroad  avenue  and 
King  street,  on  the  22d  day  of  October,  1878;  their  object 
was  to  witness  the  exhumation  and  re-interment  of  the  remains 
of  John  Pool,  the  second  permanent  settler  of  Sandy  Bay,  and 
those  of  three  of  his  wives,  which  had  been  buried  more  than 
one  hundred  and  fifty  years  on  what  was  then  his  own  land ; 
but  long  since  this  estate  had  passed  out  of  the  possession  of 
his  descendants,  therefore  the  call  for  and  the  necessity  of  their 
removal.  It  was  a matter  of  special  interest  to  the  small 
number  there  assembled  to  know  how  little  there  remains  of 
a fellow  mortal  after  so  long  a burial.  The  coffins  had 
crumbled  so  that  only  a few  small  fragments  remained,  a few 
bits  of  rusty  iron,  remains  of  nails  and  metallic  trimmings, 
some  bones,  soft  and  crumbly,  with  fine  fibres  of  roots  and 
vegetable  growth  twined  closely  about,  beneath  and  around 
every  part,  winding  even  into  the  minutest  crevices  and 
embracing  every  part  with  their  delicate  tracery.  Even  as 
Bryant  says : 

“ Earth  that  nourished  thee  shall  claim, 

Thy  growth  to  be  resolved  to  earth  again.” 

The  inscription  upon  the  headstone  is  this : 

Here  Lyes  ye  Body  of 
Mr.  Jdhn  Pool, 

Aged  about  57  years, 

DeiD  May  ye  19th,  1727. 

All  of  the  remains  were  placed  in  a neat  box  and  were 
re-interred  in  the  old  cemetery,  and  the  ancient  headstone  was 
placed  to  mark  this  last  resting-place. 

Purchase  of  a Hearse. 

The  first  hearse  owned  in  Sandy  Bay  was  purchased  by 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


263 


subscription  in  the  year  1836.  There  are  upon  that  sub- 
scription paper  one  hundred  and  fifty  names,  two  of  whom  are 
now  living,  viz:  Eben  Gott  and  John  O.  Drown.  Thirty-four 
of  these  donors  subscribed  one  dollar  each,  thirty-five  seventy 
five  cents  each,  one  set  against  his  name  eighty-five  cents, 
sixty-one  subscribed  fifty  cents  each,  and  nineteen,  twenty-five 
cents  each.  This  hearse  consisted  of  a framed  cart,  covered 
and  draped  with  black  broadcloth  neatly  trimmed,  and  was 
set  upon  four  low  wheels  provided  with  wooden  axles. 
Probably  it  cost  about  the  sum  subscribed,  $96.35,  as  we  have 
no  account  of  any  additional  sum  being  raised  for  the  purpose. 
This  carriage  did  good  service  thirty-six  years.  It  now 
occupies  the  house  in  the  old  cemetery.  The  first  corpse  to 
occupy  it  was  Mrs.  Kingsbury,  an  inmate  of  the  family  of 
Nehemiah  Knowlton,  on  King  street. 

The  hearse  now  in  use  was  purchased  by  the  town  in  the 
year  1872,  at  a cost  of  $870.25.  The  whole  outlay  which 
included  a new  harness,  house  and  platform,  was  $1151.23. 
The  first  corpse  to  occupy  the  present  hearse  was  Azor 
Knowlton,  a well-known  and  venerable  citizen.  The  hearse 
in  use  at  the  North  Village  was  purchased  by  subscription 
some  years  since;  the  town  has  made  repairs  upon  it  from 
time  to  time  as  called  upon. 

All  of  the  years  previous  to  the  purchase  of  a hearse,  the 
custom  of  the  people  was  to  carry  their  dead  to  their  last 
resting-place  upon  a bier  borne  upon  the  shoulders  of  four 
persons,  (bearers);  as  the  procession  moved  towards  the 
cemetery  four  other  persons  would  leave  the  procession  and 
with  quickened  step  reach  the  front  and  relieve  the  bearers ; 
in  case  it  was  a leng  distance  from  the  house  of  the  dead  to 
the  cemetery,  relief  would  several  times  be  offered — some- 
times it  would  be  offered  none  too  soon. 

Taverns  and  Hotels. 

On  pages  41  and  42  of  the  Centennial  Address  are  names  of 


264 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


the  several  tavern  keepers  of  the  early  days  of  Sandy  Bay. 
The  last  three  named  are  Mr.  Samuel  Huston,  Aaron  Giddings 
and  Capt.  Josiah  Haskell. 

Of  Mr.  Huston  we  would  say  that  a sea  captain,  on  his 
arrival  home  one  night,  called  for  admittance  which  was 
denied  him,  whereupon  he  procured  an  axe  and  commenced  to 
cut  the  sign-post  down.  Soon  the  door  was  opened  and  he  was 
asked  to  enter.  This  sign-post  stood  several  years  after  this 
event  and  exhibited  its  wounds  to  the  passer-by.  This  hotel 
was  the  first  of  the  three  to  close  its  doors  to  the  public;  next 
in  order  was  that  kept  by  Aaron  Giddings.  The  Haskell 
house,  after  the  death  of  Capt.  Josiah,  Sr.,  was  kept  by  his 
son,  Josiah  Jr.,  for  a number  of  years,  then  was  sold  to  Jabez 
R.  Gott,  2nd  ; then  after  several  years’  service  it  was  sold  to 
Caleb  Norwood,  who  enlarged  and  improved  the  premises 
and  continued  the  hotel  business  several  years,  then  sold  the 
property  to  an  association;  they  in  turn  sold  the  entire 
premises  to  the  Annisquam  mills,  the  present  owners.  After 
Mr.  Norwood  sold  the  property,  it  was  occupied  several  years 
for  hotel  purposes  by  different  individuals,  one  of  whom, 
Mr.  Stephen  P.  Randall,  occupied  it  the  longest  time  and  kept 
a good  house  ; for  the  last  ten  or  fifteen  years  it  has  been  a 
tenement  house. 

During  the  early  history  of  Pigeon  Cove,  Capt.  Daniel 
Wheeler  kept  a tavern  in  that  village  many  years.  The  sign- 
post is  still  in  position  in  the  shape  of  the  stately  elm  tree  in 
front  of  said  premises. 

After  Capt.  Wheeler’s  day,  Mr.  William  Norwood  kept 
tavern  on  the  same  premises  for  a time  and  from  there 
removed  and  opened  a house  on  the  site  of  the  present  Pigeon 
Cove  House;  his  object  was  to  accommodate  summer  visitors. 
The  house  was  small  ; he  could  care  but  for  a few  at  first. 
He  enlarged  the  house  several  times.  After  his  death  his 
accomplished  wife  continued  the  business  until  1866,  when 
she  sold  the  premises  to  Mrs.  E.  S.  Robinson,  who  success- 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


265 


fully  continues  the  business  up  to  the  present  time.  In  1871 
Mrs.  Robinson  removed  the  old  Pigeon  Cove  House,  and  built 
upon  its  site  the  present  large  and  well  appointed  edifice 
which  cannot  fail  to  attract  the  eye  of  the  traveller.  Pigeon 
Cove  has  long  been  a popular  resort  for  men  of  letters, 
clergymen  eminent  in  their  profession,  as  well  as  the  merchant, 
the  man  of  business  and  those  who  seek  for  health,  rest  and 
quiet.  Besides  private  boarding-houses,  there  are  four  well 
appointed,  well  managed,  and  well  located  summer  hotels, 
viz  : The  Pigeon  Cove  House,  Mrs.  E.  S.  Robinson,  proprietor; 
Ocean  View,  Mrs.  Lougee,  proprietor;  Linwood,  Mr.  James 
Hurd,  proprietor;  Glen  Acre,  Mr.  John  F.  Swett,  proprietor. 

The  only  hotel  at  South  Village  is  the  Sandy  Bay  House, 
Albert  Harding,  proprietor.  It  is  open  the  entire  year,  is  well 
and  pleasantly  located  and  so  managed  that  the  traveller  will 
find  it  a quiet  and  pleasant  house. 

Casualties. 

On  the  day  of  our  annual  State  Fast,  1 840  Mr.  Peter  Stillman 
accidentally  shot  himself.  He,  with  Mr.  Wm.  H.  Bradley,  was 
on  a gunning  excursion  at  Dogtown  Common,  when  Stillman’s 
gun  accidentally  discharged,  taking  effect  in  his  side.  He  said, 
“ I am  shot,”  and  instantly  expired.  He  was  an  expert 
gunner,  one  of  the  best,  and  had  handled  firearms  perhaps 
more  than  any  other  person  in  town. 

Messrs.  Jonathan  Tarr  and  Oliver  Stevens,  while  on  their 
passage  from  Boston,  on  the  28th  day  of  March,  1851,  on 
board  of  a small  boat  wrhile  working  up  our  bay  against  a 
strong  westerly  breeze,  a sudden  and  unfavorable  flaw  struck 
their  boat,  by  which  she  was  capsized  and  sunk.  The  two 
men  were  drowned,  as  it  were,  in  sight  of  their  home.  The 
body  of  Mr.  Tarr  was  picked  up  the  next  day.  These  men 
were  expert  fishermen  and  good  steersmen,  perhaps  none 
knew  better  how  to  handle  a boat  than  they.  But  notwith- 
standing their  skill,  as  Rev.  Mr.  Gale  remarked  at  the  funeral 


266 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


service  of  Mr.  Tarr,  “ They  sank  like  lead  in  the  mighty 
waters.” 

Miss  Flora  S.  Richardson,  a young  lady  of  nineteen  years, 
and  of  much  promise,  a daughter  of  Lyman  and  Susan  B. 
Richardson,  was  drowned  on  the  nineteenth  day  of  July,  1878, 
while  bathing  on  Back  Beach,  just  north-westerly  of  Hale’s 
Point.  We  can  call  to  mind  no  other  case  of  drowning  while 
bathing  during  all  the  years.  Our  beaches  are  considered 
quite  safe  for  such  service. 

On  the  evening  of  the  eighteenth  day  of  December,  1874, 
the  Sch.  “ J.  W.  Bradley  ” of  this  port,  Frank  Bramhall, 
master,  lay  at  anchor  in  Portsmouth  harbor;  five  of  the  crew 
took  the  boat  and  went  on  shore,  when  on  their  return  to  the 
schooner,  by  some  accident,  the  boat  capsized,  and  four  of  the 
number  were  drowned,  viz : John  J.  Lowe,  George  Breen, 
John  J.  Griffin  and  Warren  Stillman.  They  were  all  citizens 
of  Rockport  and  unmarried  except  Griffin,  who  left  a widow. 
A child  was  born  to  them  after  his  death. 

February  20th  and  21st,  1879,  there  was  a very  heavy  gale 
at  sea,  by  which  the  Gloucester  fishing  fleet  suffered  severely, 
some  twelve  or  thirteen  vessels  with  their  entire  crew  being 
lost.  Among  the  number  were  four  from  this  town,  viz : 
Michael  Allen,  left  a widow  and  three  children  ; Philip  Devou, 
left  a widow  and  four  children  ; Edward  Walton,  left  a widow 
and  two  children  ; John  J.  Williams,  left  a widow  and  three 
children,  one  child  by  a former  husband. 

Edwin  Earle  Rogers,  born  at  Worcester,  Mass.,  May  3d, 
1866,  was  drowned  off  Gully  Point,  October  31,  1884.  He 
with  a young  man,  a friend  of  his,  was  by  the  shore  gunning 
for  sea  birds,  when  accidentally  he  slipped  or  fell  into  the 
ocean ; no  one  saw  him,  though  there  were  several  persons 
near  by.  There  was  a high  bluff  of  ledge  between  him  and 
them.  When  they  heard  his  cries  and  saw  him  struggling  in 
the  water,  they  were  powerless  to  help;  there  was  no  boat 
within  a half  mile,  and  the  sea  was  rough,  there  was  quite  a gale 


HISTORY  OF  R0CKP0R1 . 


267 


from  the  north-east.  This  young  man  was  a son  of  James  S. 
and  Annie  B.  Rogers.  This  family  had  been  residents  here 
some  two  or  three  years.  The  parents  of  the  young  man 
have  erected  a steel  cross  near  the  ledge  from  which  he  fell 
into  the  ocean. 

Wednesday,  May  nth,  1887,  Mr.  J.  Allen,  aged  forty 
years,  was  coming  in  w7ith  his  nets  when  his  dory  was  struck 
by  a heavy  flaw  of  wind  and  sank  about  7.30  A.  M.  Allen 
was  drowned ; he  left  a widow  and  five  children. 

Death  of  Dr.  Barde7i. 

Edward  E.  Barden,  M.  D.,  died  December  3d,  1875,  after 
an  illness  of  but  a fewr  days,  aged  twrenty-nine  years,  seven 
months.  He  was  a son  of  Rev.  Stillman  and  Sarah  Barden. 
Dr.  Barden  was  a young  man  of  much  promise;  his  death 
was  a loss  to  the  entire  community ; when  it  occurred  he  w7as 
chairman  of  our  school  board.  His  wife,  Alfarata,  was  a 
daughter  of  Addison  and  Abigail  Gott.  She  died  April  1st, 
1876;  their  infant  child  died  March  27th,  1875;  thus  within  a 
fewr  days  more  than  a year  the  entire  family,  the  child,  the 
father  and  mother,  passed  away. 

Death  of  Dr.  Haskell. 

On  the  2 1st  day  of  January,  1878,  Benjamin  Haskell,  M. 
D.,  aged  sixty-eight  years,  died  after  a short  illness.  He  was 
born  in  Rockport,  was  graduated  at  Amherst  College  in  1832, 
received  his  medical  education  at  Bow7doin  College,  Maine. 
He  spent  nearly  the  whole  of  his  professional  life  in  his  native 
town  ; he  was  skilful  and  popular  as  a physician,  and  greatly 
respected  as  a citizen.  During  his  later  years,  in  addition  to 
his  professional  duties,  he  was  much  interested  in  agriculture 
and  farm  stock.  He  left  a widow7,  Jane  Calef,  but  no  children. 
Out  of  respect  to  his  memory,  a public  meeting  of  the  citizens 
was  held  in  the  town  hall  the  evening  after  his  decease.  A 
large  audience  w^as  present  and  organized  by  the  choice  of 


268 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


John  W.  Marshall,  moderator,  Calvin  W.  Pool,  clerk  ; prayer 
was  offered  by  Rev.  C.  C.  Mclntire.  Dr.  John  E.  Sanborn 
paid  a tribute  of  respect  to  his  professional  character  and  his 
usefulness  as  a citizen  by  an  interesting  address  which  was 
listened  to  with  marked  attention;  his  address  was  supple- 
mented by  remarks  from  several  others  of  our  citizens.  A 
committee  was  appointed  to  make  arrangements  for  his  funeral, 
which  took  place  from  the  Congregational  church  on  the  23d 
inst.,  at  two  o’clock  P.  M.  Though  a severe  N.  E.  snow 
storm  was  raging,  the  church  was  filled  with  an  interested 
and  sympathizing  audience.  The  services  were  conducted 
by  Rev.  C.  C.  Mclntire,  the  pastor  of  the  church,  sermon  by 
Rev.  Wakefield  Gale,  a former  pastor,  and  long-time  friend  of 
the  deceased.  The  pall  bearers  were  physicians  of  Rockport 
and  Gloucester.  His  widow,  Jane  Calef,  died  August  30th, 
1885. 

Death  of  Dr.  Lemuel  Gott. 

Lemuel  Gott,  M.  D.,  was  born  at  Sandy  Bay,  December 
23d,  1808;  died  in  Berlin,  Mass.,  June  16th,  1888,  aged 
seventy-nine  years,  five  months,  twenty-four  days.  After 
passing  through  our  public  schools  he  entered  Hampden 
Academy,  N.  H.,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  and  remained 
there  four  years  ; he  then  entered  Harvard  Medical  School, 
taking  three  courses,  after  which  he  attended  the  Massachu- 
setts General  Hospital,  and  then  the  Marine,  receiving  his 
diploma  February  3d,  1836.  He  commenced  the  practice  of 
medicine  and  surgery  the  same  year  in  his  native  town,  where 
he  enjoyed  an  extensive  practice  eighteen  years.  Removing 
to  Berlin  in  1854,  he  was  there  associated  with  Dr.  C. 
Hartshorn  in  practice,  and  in  the  manufacture  of  “ family 
medicines,”  where  he  remained  until  his  death.  He  and  his 
wife  Mary  became  members  of  the  Congregational  church  in 
this  town,  April  6th,  1837.  Dr.  Gott  was  interested  in  the 
cause  of  education,  and  was  a constant  visitor  of  our  public 
schools.  He  was  chairman  of  the  Gloucester  school  board 
the  year  previous  to  the  incorporation  of  Rockport,  and 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


269 


several  years  after  the  incorporation  he  served  the  town  of 
Rockport  in  the  same  capacity.  He  delivered  the  address  at 
the  dedication  of  the  Broadway  schoolhouse  in  1850;  the 
Centennial  Address  also,  that  occupies  eighty  pages  of  this 
volume,  in  1854.  On  his  mother’s  side  he  was  a direct 
descendant  of  Richard  Tarr,  the  first  settler  at  Sandy  Bay. 
She  was  a daughter  of  Jabez  Tarr,  who  fought  on  Bunker 
Hill;  on  his  father’s  side,  Capt.  John  Gott,  he  was  a descendant 
of  Samuel  Gott,  who  settled  at  Halibut  Point  in  1702.  In 
politics,  the  doctor  took  the  unpopular  side  of  that  day;  he  was 
a pronounced  anti-slavery  man,  and  fearlessly  declared  his 
principles.  His  brother  Addison  was  greatly  chagrined  at  a 
time  when  he  saw  Lemuel  in  the  pulpit  of  one  of  our  churches 
with  a colored  man  ; but  even  Addison,  at  a later  day  (1851) 
when  a member  of  the  Legislature,  found  it  convenient  to  vote 
for  Charles  Sumner  for  United  States  Senator. 

There  was  a time  when  the  doctor  stood  up  with  six  others 
and  was  counted.  He  lived  to  see  the  hated  institution 
numbered  among  the  institutions  of  the  past,  and  to  enjoy  the 
breathing  for  many  years  of  the  free  air  of  heaven  without  the 
taint  of  slavery.  He  left  a widow  and  one  daughter.  His 
son  died  during  the  Civil  War,  in  service  of  his  country. 

Deceased  Clergymen. 

Clergymen  that  have  officiated  and  died  at  Sandy  Bay  and 
Rockport,  are  as  follows,  viz  : 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Cleaveland,  Congregationalist,  died  July  4th, 
1805;  aged  eighty  years. 

Licentiate,  Caprt.  Benjamin  Hale,  Baptist,  died  January 
10th,  1818,  aged  forty-two  years. 

Rev.  Levi  B.  Hathaway,  Baptist,  died  August  1st,  1843, 
aged  thirty-three  years.  He  had  been  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church  but  a few  months. 

Rev.  Samuel  Gilbert,  Baptist,  died  January  25th,  1850. 


270 


HISTORY  OF  R0CKP0RT. 


Rev.  Stillman  Barden,  Universalist,  died  August  7th,  1865. 
At  the  time  of  his  decease  he  was  chairman  of  our  town 
school  committee. 

Rev.  Elijah  Mason,  Methodist,  died  February  16th,  1863. 
He  was  chairman  of  our  school  board  at  the  time  of  his 
decease. 

Licentiate,  Capt.  Levi  Cleaves,  Methodist,  died  June  16th, 
1865,  aged  fifty-eight  years  and  nine  months. 

Rev.  Samuel  Roy,  Methodist,  died  October  24th,  1874. 
He  had  ministered  to  his  people  but  a few  months  when 
stricken  with  disease  which  within  a few  days  terminated  his 
life. 

Rev.  Henry  C.  Leonard,  Universalist,  died  March  7th,  1880, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years.  At  the  time  of  his  decease,  he 
was  pastor  of  the  church  at  Annisquam,  and  chairman  of  our 
school  board.  He  had  served  three  years  previous  as  super- 
intendent of  our  public  schools.  He  was  pastor  of  the 
Universalist  church  in  this  town  in  1 844-45  i he  had  also  been 
pastor  of  the  church  at  Orono,  Maine,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and  at 
Philadelphia.  He  served  as  chaplain  of  a Maine  regiment 
during  the  Civil  War. 

Death  of  Ebe?iezer  Pool. 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Pool,  an  esteemed  and  venerable  citizen,  died 
at  his  home  near  Dock  Square,  on  the  10th  day  of  April, 
1878,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years  and  nine  months. 
For  many  years  he  was  a prominent  member  of  the  Baptist 
church.  From  early  life  he  was  specially  interested  in  noting 
important  or  special  events ; he  was  possessed  of  a very 
retentive  memory  and  was  able  to  give  a ready  answer  when 
called  upon  for  family  genealogy  or  events  that  had  long 
time  transpired.  He  left  a large  number  of  pages  of  valuable 
memoranda,  to  which  we  are  indebted,  to  a considerable  extent, 
for  that  that  appears  upon  several  of  the  preceding  pages 
of  this  book.  Mr.  Pool  was  a direct  descendant  of  the  John 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKFORT. 


271 

Pool  who  settled  in  Sandy  Bay  in  the  year  1700 — the  second 
permanent  settler  of  the  village.  He  attended  school  one  or 
more  terms  in  the  first  schoolhouse  that  was  built  in  this 
village ; it  was  built  of  logs  and  was  located  on  a part  of  the 
now  front  yard  of  the  Congregational  meeting-house.  This 
schoolhouse  was  demolished  in  1797  or  ’98.  He  left  a family 
of  seven  sons  and  five  daughters,  but  no  widow.  He  had  been 
twice  married. 

Death  of  Another  Aged  Citizen. 

Mr.  William  Tarr  Abbott,  the  then  oldest  person  in  town, 
died  February  3d,  1885,  having  attained  to  the  age  of  ninety- 
six  years,  eleven  months  and  fourteen  days.  The  most  of  the 
years  of  his  long  life  he  was  a mariner  ; at  the  time  of  the 
war  of  1812-14  he  engaged  in  privateering  to  some  extent;  he 
served  on  board  the  privateer  schooner  “ Orlando,”  Capt. 
Joseph  Babson,  and  on  board  the  same  vessel,  Capt.  R.  Evens, 
four  and  a half  months  in  all;  he  also  served  on  board  the 
schooner  “ Cadet,”  Capt.  David  Elwell.  He  also  served  as 
captain  of  a gun  nine-pounder  on  board  the  schooner 
“ Thrasher,”  Capt.  R.  Evens.  During  this  cruise  they  cap- 
tured the  English  ship  “ Portsea,”  and  were  re-captured  by 
the  English  ship  “ Eleanor”  and  taken  to  England  and  put  on 
board  a prison  ship  on  the  River  Thames,  at  a place  called 
Jolicum’s  Reach  or  Ranch,  where  they  were  imprisoned  about 
three  months,  then  set  at  liberty.  Mr.  Abbott  returned  to  his 
home.  During  the  later  years  of  his  life  he  received  a pension 
from  the  United  States  Government.  He  also  was  engaged 
in  dory  fishing,  .and  was  quite  successful  in  this  branch  of 
business ; during  one  week  when  he  was  eighty-five  years  of 
age  he  caught  from  his  dory,  four  miles  from  land,  codfish 
that  sold  for  .$12.  He  was  quite  active  almost  to  the  last  of 
his  days,  was  always  temperate  and  industrious  and  of  a genial 
temperament. 


272 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Secret  and  Benevolent  Societies. 

Granite  Lodge,  No.  127,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  organized  on  the 
23d  day  of  May,  1848,  with  twenty  members.  Its  object  is 
to  promote  good  morals,  to  watch  over  and  provide  for  the 
needy.  This  institution  has  always  been  in  a healthy  con- 
dition, has  disbursed  a large  amount  of  money  in  relieving  the 
needy.  It  now  has  a membership  of  two  hundred  and  thirty. 
They  own  a neat  and  pleasant  hall  on  the  corner  of  Broadway 
and  School  street,  well  appointed  for  the  use  of  the  order. 
The  charter  members  were  Benjamin  Parsons,  2d,  William 
Bryant,  David  D.  Lang,  William  P.  Burns,  Henry  Dennis, 
John  G.  Wallace,  Eli  G.  Tufts,  Edward  H.  Shaw,  Caleb 
Norwood,  Charles  E.  Grover,  George  Sanford,  Joseph  J.  Burns, 
Albert  Clark,  Levi  P.  Richardson,  David  Babson  Jr., 
George  Leach,  Andrew  Elwell,  Charles  Rowe,  Jr.,  Thomas 
Hale,  Thomas  N.  Flood,  Wm.  Colby,  William  H.  Wallace, 
William  H.  Dann. 

Ashler  Lodge  of  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  The  first  meeting  of  the 
members  of  this  institution  was  at  the  house  of  Eben  Blatch- 
ford,  Esq.,  in  the  month  of  January,  1851.  The  charter  of 
this  order  is  dated  March  12th,  1852.  The  charter  members 
were  Eben  Blatchford,  Wm.  H.  Manning,  Wm.  Caldwell, 
Samuel  Parker,  William  Smith,  Henry  Clark,  Thomas  O. 
Marshall,  Charles  Tarr,  3d,  Francis  Rowe,  Charles  Rowe, 
and  William  Giles,  two  of  whom,  Messrs.  Blatchford  and  Clark, 
are  now  living.  Eben  Blatchford  was  the  first  master.  The 
whole  membership  up  to  the  present  time,  including  the 
charter  members,  has  been  three  hundred  and  seven.  The 
present,  membership  is  one  hundred  and  twenty-five.  Their 
motto,  “ Faith  in  God,  a hope  of  Immortality,  Charity  for  the 
Needy.”  This  institution,  during  the  years  of  its  history  has 
distributed  quite  a large  sum  of  money  to  the  needy  brother- 
hood, not  forgetting  those  outside  the  fold.  This  lodge  is 
now  in  a healthy  condition.  Mr.  Luther  H.  Kidder,  a member 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


273 


of  this  order,  died  on  the  14th  day  of  February,  1888,  aged 
94  years,  6 months.  He  was  made  a Mason  of  a lodge  at 
Concord,  Vt.,  in  1815  ; probably  at  the  time  of  his  death  he 
was  the  oldest  Mason  in  the  State.  The  greater  part  of  his 
life  was  spent  in  this  town. 

O.  W.  Wallace  Post,  No.  106,  G.  A.  R.  This  Post  was 
organized  August  19,  1869.  The  charter  members  were: 
Thomas  F.  Parsons,  Jr.,  Eugene  R.  Prior,  William  Wingood, 
Jr.,  John  E.  Sanborn,  Story  D.  Pool,  Levi  Shaw,  Sidney 
Currier,  William  H.  Davis,  John  E.  Stickney,  John  S.  Witham 
and  E.  Townsend.  This  institution  prospered  for  a time,  then 
came  a falling  off  of  membership  with  other  discouraging 
circumstances,  when  the  remaining  members  concluded  to 
surrender  their  charter  and  disband  the  organization. 

This  institution  re-organized  on  the  31st  day  of  December, 
1881.  The  charter  members  at  this  organization  were  : Wm. 
Wingood,  Jr.,  Eugene  R.  Prior,  Thomas  F.  Parsons,  Jr.,  O. 
H.  Blaisdell,  Ozias  N.  Rowe,  James  Breen,  John  E.  Stickney, 
Nathaniel  Richardson,  Jr.,  Calvin  W.  Pool,  C.  L.  Dunlap, 
James  H.  Stillman,  Daniel  W.  Tuttle,  Samuel  Fears,  Isaac  B. 
Bray,  Freeman  Mitchell,  Andrew  Lane,  Jr.,  and  Charles 
French.  This  order  now  has  a membership  of  sixty,  is 
doing  a good  work,  and  is  in  a healthy  condition. 

Wonasquam  Tribe,  No.  23,  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men, 
was  instituted  in  this  town  on  the  10th  day  of  June,  1886. 
This  adds  another  fraternal  and  benefit  organization  to  those 
before  established  here.  It  has  met  with  marked  success  and 
has  obtained  the  standing  of  an  institution  that  has  come  to 
stay.  There  were  one  hundred  and  six  charter  members; 

* twenty-two  have  since  been  adopted;  three  have  died,  viz.: 
Joseph  P.  Connor,  Wm.  V.  Norwood,  and  Alden  Choate. 

The  charter  members  were  as  follows: — 


2/4 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Andrews,  Charles 
Andrews,  Charles  H. 
Babson,  Isaac  N. 
Breen,  James 
Breen,  William  H. 
Brown,  Joseph 
Butman,  John  W. 
Carver,  Cyrus 
Chadwick,  Joseph 
Choate,  Alden 
Clark,  Lemuel  H. 
Cleaves,  George  W. 
Colby,  Horace  M. 
Connor,  Joseph  P. 
Cross,  George  E. 
Davis,  Timothy 
Davis,  Wakeman 
Dunahue,  Joseph  B. 
Dorr,  Joseph  K. 
Dunahue,  Charles  L. 
Edmands,  John 
El  well,  Edward  C. 
Elwell,  John  F. 
Everett,  Jonathan  R. 
Fairbanks,  Calvin  D. 
Fernald,  Alpheus  W. 
Gott,  Chester  W. 
Green,  Charles  Pk 
Green,  Frank 
Griffin,  Frank  N. 
Griffin,  James  G. 
Grimes,  George 
Hale,  Charles  T. 
Hale,  Frank  G. 
Hanson,  Ferdinand 


Harris,  Samuel  B. 
Haskell,  Charles  A. 
Haskins,  George  R. 
Haskins,  Leander  M. 
Hoyt,  J.  Newell 
Hodgins,  James 
Henderson,  Samuel  G. 
Knowlton,  Benj.  H. 
Knowlton,  Edgar 
Knowlton,  Frank  H. 
Knowlton,  Melville 
Lane,  Leverett 
Lurvey,  Abraham,  Jr. 
Lurvey,  Bryant 
Lowe,  George  A. 
Mahoney,  Daniel 
Marchant,  William 
Margeson,  Gilbert  T. 
Marshall,  Albert  H. 
Mitchell,  Freeman 
Mitchell,  Lewis  Prescott 
Morgan,  Christopher  N. 
Morgan,  Eli  L. 

Morgan,  Milton  W. 
Morse,  Stephen  M. 
Nason,  Winslow 
Newman,  John  S. 
Norwood,  Will  T. 
Norwood,  William  V. 
Ornellas,  George  W. 
Parker,  Wm.  R. 

Parsons,  Benj.,  Jr., 

' Parsons,  Calvin  T. 
Parsons,  Irving  C. 
Parsons,  Fletcher  W, 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


275 


Parsons,  Fred  H. 
Parsons,  Will 
Paul,  Oliver 
Pierce,  Alpheus  W. 
Pierce,  Ward  A. 
Pingree,  Henry  C. 
Poole,  John  J. 

Poole,  Newton  B. 
Poole,  Theodore  L. 
Robinson,  Levi 
Robb,  Andrew 
Rowe,  Amos 
Rowe,  Eben  P. 
Sanborn,  Asa  F. 
Sanborn,  Hiram  L. 
Saunders,  Edward  H. 
Smith,  George  E. 
Stevens,  Orin 


Story,  Albert 
Story,  Herbert  A. 
Story,  Henry  L. 
Shepherd,  George  B. 
Tarr,  Andrew  J. 

Tarr,  J.  Clarence 
Tarr,  Thomas 
Tarr,  Harvey 
Todd,  Charles  E. 
Tufts,  Hosea  C. 
Tuttle,  Ward 
Tucker,  Lewis 
Welch,  Frank 
Whitney,  Alonzo  L. 
Witham,  Elbridge,  Jr. 
Wheeler,  Thaddeus 
Woolford,  Austin  R. 
Woolford,  Emery 


Pigeon  Cove  Mutual  Benefit  Association.  This  institution 
was  organized  by  the  Knights  of  Labor,  March  12th,  1886, 
with  a membership  of  fifty-four;  Joseph  B.  Dunahue,  president, 
Edgar  L.  Waite,  secretary  and  treasurer.  It  was  re-organized 
March  29th,  1887. 

The  charter  members  at  this  organization  were  as  follows: — 


Dunahue,  Charles  L. 
Fears,  William 
Fears,  Charles  P. 

Fitz,  John  H. 

Fretch,  Benjamin  T. 
Griffin,  James  G. 

Lurvey,  Bryant 
Morse,  Stephen  M. 
Morgan,  Christopher  N. 


Parker,  Wesley  L. 
Parsons,  Irving  C. 
Parsons,  Calvin  T. 
Smith,  Hudson 
Story,  Henry  L. 
Story,  Herbert  A. 
Tuttle,  John  M. 
Tuttle,  John  M.,  Jr. 


Total  membership  at  the  present  time,  one  hundred  and  ten. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


276 

There  is  also  connected  with  this  institution  a Life  Insurance 
or  Life  Benefit  Association.  Though  it  is  confined  to  the 
membership  of  the  Mutual  Benefit,  it  does  not  include  all  of 
its  members,  but  only  such  as  sign  the  obligation  of  the  Life 
Benefit.  The  number  that  has  signed  the  articles  up  to  the 
present  time  is  forty-six.  These  institutions  are  what  their 
names  indicates. 

Sandy  Bay  Mutual  Relief  Association.  This  order  was 
organized  Feb.  14th,  1888,  with  a membership  of  ninety-one. 
Their  regular  meetings  are  held  on  the  first  and  third  Saturday 
of  each  month.  The  name  of  this  order  indicates  the  object 
for  which  it  is  organized. 

The  members  at  its  organization  were  as  follows: — 


Allen,  Ethan 

Grover,  George  W. 

Bray,  Alden  P. 

Grimes,  Manley 

Breen,  William  H. 

Grey,  Loring 

Broomfield,  Wm. 

Grimes,  George  B. 

Barton,  Thomas 

Griffin,  Frank  N. 

Bernard,  John  B. 

Hanson,  Ferdinand 

Clark,  Henry 

Haskins,  Frank  K. 

Connors,  William 

Hodgkins,  Howard 

Cleaves,  George 

Hodgkins,  Henry 

Campbell,  John 

Hayes,  M.  W.  S. 

Davis,  Horace  T. 

Haskins,  George  R. 

Dunbar,  James 

Harris,  Wm.  H. 

Davis,  Wm.  H. 

Hart,  Thomas 

Devou,  Luke 

Harvey,  Albert 

Everett,  Jonathan  R. 

Jordan,  Frank 

El  well,  Benj. 

Keating,  Michael 

Fairbanks,  Calvin  D. 

Knowlton,  James  M 

Fellows,  James  B. 

Lowe,  Ashler 

Frisbee,  Harry  B. 

Lowe,  Everett  P. 

Freitas,  Joseph,  Jr., 

Lowe,  Henry  M. 

Gee,  Richard 

Longley,  George 

Griffin,  Benjamin 

Leman,  Peter 

HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


2 77 


Littlefield,  Hartwell 
Moore,  John  Z. 
Millett,  Edward 
McLane,  Geo.  M. 
Marshall,  Albert 
Moody,  E.  Prescott 
Mackey,  William 
Morse,  George 
Mitchell,  Freeman 
Mitchell,  Howard 
Norwood,  Wm.  H. 
Norwood,  S.  F. 
Nelson,  Thomas  W. 
Norwood,  Chas.  F. 
Ornellas,  Geo.  W. 
Pool,  Stephen 
Pool,  Burrill  C. 

Pool,  Albert 
Poland,  Geo.  L. 
Pickering,  Winthrop 
Pierce,  Frank 
Parsons,  L.  Cleaves 
Parsons,  Daniel  D. 
Parsons,  William 


Parsons,  Fletcher 
Pittee,  Albert 
Pettengill,  Ephraim 
Robb,  James 
Roffey,  Robert 
Roffey,  Chas.  H. 
Stevens,  Andrew 
Stevens,  G.  Forrest 
Stevens,  George 
Stevens,  James  E. 
Stevens,  Eben  P. 
Stevens,  Andrew,  Jr. 
Sheahan,  Timothy 
Savage,  Jesse 
Sherburne,  Hosea 
Silva,  Joseph 
Tarr,  Harvey 
Tarr,  George  H. 
Tucker,  Lewis 
Tarr,  Edward 
Wendell,  Robert 
Woodbury,  James 
Witham,  George 


Town  Officers . 

Selectmen  of  Gloucester  from  Sandy  Bay,  previous  to  the 
incorporation  of  Rockport: 


1756,  Ebenezer  Pool, 
’60, 

’68,  Francis  Poof; 

’75, 

’76, 

’77,  Stephen  Pool, 
’78,  John  Rowe, 
’80,  Mark  Pool, 


1781,  Mark  Pool, 

’82,  Eben’r.  Cleaveland, 
’84,  Mark  Pool, 

’85,  Caleb  Pool, 

*86,  “ 

’87,  “ 

’88,  Mark  Pool, 

’89,  Caleb  Pool, 


27$ 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


1813,  Ebenezer  Oakes, 
’14, 

’if  <<  << 

1 5> 

’25,  Winthrop  Pool, 

’26,  Aaron  Giddings, 

’2  7, 

’30,  George  D.  Hale, 
’3G 

*32,  “ “ 

’33,  “ “ “ 

’34,  “ “ “ 

’3  5,  “ “ “ 

’36,  John  W.  Marshall, 

’3  7,  “ “ 

’38,  “ “ 

’39,  James  Haskell. 


i 7 90,  Caleb  Pool, 

’91, 

’92,  “ “ 

’93,  “ 

’94,  “ 

’95,  “ 

’96,  Ebenezer  Pool, 

’9 7,  Benj.  Tarr,  Jr., 

’98,  James  Goss, 

1805,  John  Manning, 

’06,  Ebenezer  Oakes, 

’ 07 , Caleb  Norwood, 

’09,  Caleb  Norwood,  Jr., 

’io,  Francis  Norwood, 

> r T 11  u 

1 1 y 

’ 1 2,  “ 

The  first  Representative  from  Sandy  Bay  to  the  General 
Court  was  in 


1806,  Caleb  Norwood,  Jr., 

’o  7,  “ “ “ 

’09,  John  Manning,  M.  D. 
To,  “ “ 


13,  “ 

T4,  “ 

T5,  “ 

*3°,  John  Gott, 

“ Aaron  Giddings, 

’31,  John  Gott, 

“ Solomon  Pool, 

’32,  James  Goss, 

“ Nehemiah  Knowlton, 

“ Gorham  Babson,  P.  C. 
’33,  George  Lane, 

“ Josiah  Griffin, 


1833,  Gorham  Babson,  P.  C. 

1834,  Josiah  Griffin, 

“ John  Blatchford, 

“ Gorham  Babson,  P.  C. 

’35,  John  Blatchford, 

“ Jas.  Harris,  Pigeon  Cove, 
“ Timothy  R.  Davis. 

’36,  Timothy  R.  Davis, 

“ John  Davis, 

“ Jas.  Harris,  Pigeon  Cove. 
’3 7.  John  Davis, 

“ Eleazar  Boynton, 

“ David  Dunahue, 

’38,  Eleazar  Boynton, 

“ William  B.  Haskins, 

’39,  Samuel  L.  Andrews, 

’40,  Wm.  B.  Haskins. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKFORT. 


279 


Rockporf  s First  loivn  Meeting. 

Rockport’s  first  legal  town  meeting  was  held  in  the  vestry 
of  the  Congregational  Society,  on  the  9th  day  of  March,  1 840, 
at  nine  o’clock,  A.  M.  The  warrant  for  the  meeting  was 
issued  by  James  Goss,  justice  of  the  peace,  to  James  Haskell, 
who  called  the  meeting  to  order,  read  the  warrant,  and  then 
called  for  the  balloting  for  a moderator.  There  were  three 
hundred  and  seventy-three  votes  cast,  two  hundred  and 
forty-two  of  which  were  for  Capt.  John  Davis,  who  was  declared 
elected.  Col.  William  Pool  was  chosen  clerk,  which  office  he 
held  by  re-election  each  year,  so  long  as  his  health  allowed 
him  to  perform  its  duties,  when  his  son,  Calvin  W.,  was  elected, 
and  continues,  by  re-election,  to  occupy  the  position  until  the 
present  time. 

The  succession  of  moderators  of  our  annual  March  meetings 
is  as  follows: 

Dr.  Lemuel  Gott,  1841-44. 

Wm.  Caldwell,  1 842-43-45-46-47-53-57-61-63-64-65- 
67-71. 

Samuel  York,  1 848-49-  50-51-55-56-58-5  9-60-62-68- 
69-70. 

John  W.  Marshall,  1852-54-72-74-78-79-80-86-87-88. 

Nath’l  F.  S.  York,  1866. 

Henry  Dennis,  Jr.,  1 873-75-76-77-81 . 

Amos  Rowe,  1882-83-84-85-89. 

This  first  town  meeting  was  held  only  for  the  choice  of  town 
officers.  It  completed  its  work  and  at  half  past  four  o’clock, 
P.  M.,  adjourned,  sine  die. 

A second  town  meeting  was  held  on  the  1 8th  day  of  the 
same  month  of  March,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  and  appro- 
priating money  for  town  expenses.  At  this  meeting  there 
were  fifty-seven  votes  cast  for  moderator,  fifty-five  of  which 
were  for  Capt.  John  Davis.  At  this  meeting  the  salary  of  the 
town  clerk  was  fixed  at  ten  dollars;  town  treasurer,  ten  dollars; 


28o 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


selectmen,  assessors,  and  overseers  of  the  poor,  twenty-eight 
dollars  each,  per  year. 

The  whole  commitment  of  taxes  that  year  was,  to 
Collector  John  B.  Parsons,  - - - $2,762.03. 

“ Michael  Walen,  - 804.92. 

Total,  - $3,566.95. 

At  the  end  of  the  year  there  remained  uncollected, 

Of  John  B.  Parsons,  - - - - - $81.37. 

“ Michael  Walen,  - 98.84. 


Total,  - $180.21. 


7 own  of  Rockport. 

SELECTMEN,  TOWN  CLERKS,  TOWN  TREASURERS,  AND  SCHOOL 
COMMITTEES. 


1840,  David  Babson,  Jr., 
James  Haskell, 
Thomas  O.  Marshall. 

’41,  David  Babson,  Jr., 
James  Haskell, 

Wm.  H.  Bradley. 

’42,  David  Babson,  Jr., 
Wm.  H.  Bradley, 
William  P.  Burns. 

’43,  Same. 

’44,  Same. 

’45,  David  Babson,  Jr., 
Wm.  P.  Burns, 
George  D.  Hale. 

’46,  Same. 


Selectmen. 

1847,  David  Babson,  Jr., 
Benj.  Tarr, 

John  Pool. 

’48,  Same. 

’49,  David  Babson,  Jr., 
William  Boynton, 
William  P.  Burns. 
’50,  David  Babson,  Jr., 
William  Boynton, 
George  Gott,  Jr. 
’51,  David  Babson,  Jr., 
William  Boynton, 
James  Manning. 
’52,  James  Manning, 
Wm.  H.  Bradley, 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


281 


1852,  Thomas  Hale. 

’53,  Thomas  Hale, 

John  W.  Marshall, 
Dudley  Choate. 

’54,  John  W.  Marshall, 
Dudley  Choate, 
Amos  Story. 

’55,  James  Manning, 
Wm.  H.  Bradley, 
Benj.  Atwood. 

’56,  John  W.  Marshall, 
Washington  Tarr, 
Daniel  Wheeler. 

’5 7,  John  W.  Marshall, 
Washington  Tarr, 
Austin  W.  Story. 

’58,  Austin  W.  Story, 
John  Manning, 

Alfred  Parsons. 

’59,  John  Manning, 
Moses  Haskins, 

Wm.  Marchant. 

’60,  John  W Marshall, 
Wm.  Marchant, 
Addison  Gott. 

’6 1,  Same. 

’62,  Joshua  Tarr, 

Austin  W.  Story, 
Wm.  H.  Bradley. 

’63,  Austin  W.  Story, 
Wm.  H.  Bradley,  Jr., 
Henry  Dennis,  Jr. 

’64,  Henry  Dennis,  Jr., 
Wm.  Marchant, 
David  Brooks. 


1865,  Henry  Dennis,  Jr., 
Wm.  Marchant, 
Wm.  Caldwell. 

’66,  Same. 

’67,  Same. 

’68,  Henry  Dennis,  Jr., 
Austin  W.  Story, 
Ezekiel  Bradstreet. 

’69,  Austin  W.  Story, 
Francis  Tarr,  Jr., 
Wm.  Caldwell. 

’70,  Austin  W.  Story, 
Francis  Tarr,  Jr., 
James  Fernald,  Jr. 

’7 1,  James  W.  Bradley, 
Henri  N.  Woods, 
Abraham  Furvey. 

’72,  James  W.  Bradley, 
John  W.  Marshall, 
Abraham  Furvey. 

’73,  John  W.  Marshall, 
Abraham  Lurvey, 
Henry  Dennis,  Jr. 

’74,  Same. 

’75,  Same. 

’76,  Same. 

’77,  Same. 

’78,  John  W.  Marshall, 
Abraham  Furvey, 
Andrew  F.  Clark. 

’79,  John  W.  Marshall, 
Andrew  F.  Clark, 
Stillman  L.  Mason. 

’80,  John  W.  Marshall, 
Andrew  F.  Clark, 


2$2 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


1880,  Abraham  Lurvey. 

’8 1,  Jason  L.  Curtis, 
George  A.  Lowe, 

N.  F.  S.  York. 

’82,  Same. 

’83,  N.  F.  S.  York, 

Nath’l  Richardson,  Jr., 
Austin  W.  Story. 

’84,  Same. 

’85,  N.  F.  S.  York, 

Henry  H.  Thurston, 


1885,  Joseph  B.  Dunahue. 

’86,  N.  F.  S.  York, 

Joseph  B.  Dunahue, 
William  Lowe. 

’87,  Charles  H.  Cleaves, 
Joseph  B.  Dunahue, 
Otis  E.  Smith. 

’88,  Charles  H.  Cleaves, 
Otis  E.  Smith, 

Isaac  P.  Fears. 

’89,  Same. 


Town  Clerks. 

1840  to 

1868 

inclusive, 

Col.  William  Pool. 

1869  “ 

1888 

Town  Treasurers. 

Calvin  W.  Pool. 

1840  to 

<N 

00 

inclusive, 

John  Gott. 

1843  “ 

1851 

ii 

Addison  Gott. 

00 

i_n 

ts) 

1854 

a 

James  Manning. 

00 

Ul 

<-n 

1856 

a 

George  Gott,  Jr. 

1857  “ 

1864 

a 

Henry  Clark. 

1865  “ 

1888 

u 

School  Committees. 

Joseph  Manning. 

1840,  Lemuel  Gott,  M.  D., 
Joseph  B.  Manning, 
Wm.  Mann. 

’41,  William  Whipple, 
William  Mann, 
Lemuel  Gott. 

’42,  William  Boynton, 
Jabez  R.  Gott, 

John  Harris. 

’43,  William  Boynton, 
William  Caldwell, 
John  Harris, 

’44,  Lemuel  Gott, 


1844,  William  Caldwell, 
William  Mann. 

’45,  and  ’46,  Same. 

’47,  William  Caldwell, 
John  Manning, 
William  Mann. 

’48,  Lemuel  Gott, 

William  Caldwell, 
Epes  Young. 

’49,  Benjamin  Giles, 
William  Boynton, 
Epes  Young. 

’50,  Alfred  C.  Pool, 


HISTORY  OF  R0CKP0R7. 


283 


1850,  Lemuel  Gott, 

Epes  Young. 

*51,  Joseph  Bartlett, 
Lemuel  Gott, 

William  Mann. 

’52,  William  Pool, 

Joseph  Bartlett, 

Moses  Mayo. 

’53,  William  Pool, - 
Joseph  Manning, 
Moses  Mayo. 

’54,  Benjamin  Giles, 

Rev.  A.  C.  L.  Arnold, 
Austin  W.  Story. 

’55,  Same. 

’56,  William  Mann, 
William  Whipple, 
Benjamin  Giles. 

’57,  James  Haskell, 
Benjamin  Tarr, 

Joshua  Tarr, 

William  Mann, 
Thomas  Hale. 

’58,  Benjamin  Giles, 
William  Mann, 
Samuel  H.  Brooks. 

’59,  Rev.  Elijah  Mason, 
David  Brooks,  Jr., 
William  Mann. 

’6o,  Rev.  Elijah  Mason, 
Benjamin  Tarr, 
William  Mann. 

’6i,  Rev.  Elijah  Mason, 
Benjamin  Tarr, 

John  W.  Legallee. 


1862,  Benjamin  Tarr, 

John  W.  Legallee. 

’63,  Rev.  Stillman  Barden, 
Henry  Dennis,  Jr. 

’64,  Rev.  Stillman  Barden, 
Henry  Dennis,  Jr., 
Daniel  Wheeler. 

’65,  Henry  Dennis, 

Daniel  Wheeler. 

’66,  Nath’l  F.  S.  York, 
Andrew  F.  Clark, 

Daniel  Wheeler. 

’67,  Same. 

’68,  Andrew  F.  Clark, 

Daniel  A.  Wheeler, 
Daniel  Wheeler. 

’69,  N.  F.  S.  York, 

William  Marchant, 
Ezekiel  Bradstreet. 

’70,  N.  F.  S.  York, 

Calvin  W.  Pool, 

Frank  H.  Knowlton. 

’71,  Same. 

’72,  N.  F.  S.  York, 

Calvin  W.  Pool, 

Rev.  C.  A.  Merrill. 

’73,  N.  F.  S.  York, 

Rev.  Henry  C.  Leonard, 
Calvin  W.  Pool. 

’74,  N.  F.  S.  York, 

Rev.  Henry  C.  Leonard. 
Edward  E.  Barden,  M.  D. 

’75,  Rev.  Henry  C.  Leonard. 
Andrew  F.  Clark. 

’76,  Rev.  Henry  C.  Leonard. 


284 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


1876,  Henry  Dennis,  Jr., 

John  W.  Marshall. 

’77,  Same. 

’78,  Rev.  Henry  C.  Leonard, 
John  W.  Marshall, 

N.  F.  S.  York, 

’79,  Same. 

’80,  Same. 

’8i,  N.  F.  S.  York, 

John  W.  Marshall, 
Stillman  L.  Mason. 

’82,  N.  F.  S.  York, 

John  W.  Marshall, 

John  C.  Pierce. 

’83,  N.  F.  S.  York, 

John  C.  Pierce, 

John  E.  Sanborn,  M,  D. 

’84,  John  E.  Sanborn,  M.  D. 


1884,  John  C.  Pierce, 

James  S.  Rogers. 

’85,  John  E.  Sanborn,  M.  D., 
James  S.  Rogers, 

Nath’l  F.  S.  York. 

’86,  N.  F.  S.  York, 

John  C.  Pierce, 

Charles  B.  Hall,  M.  D. 

’8 7,  Charles  B.  Hall,  M.  D., 
N.  F.  S.  York, 

Wm.  Marchant. 

’88,  Janette  Parsons, 

Rev.  J.  H.  Mansfield, 
Rev.  A.  F.  Norcross, 

’89,  Janette  Parsons, 
William  H.  Colby, 

John  C.  Pierce. 


Representatives  from  Rockport  to  the  General  Court. 


1841,  James  P.  Tarr. 

’42,  None. 

’43,  Thomas  0.  Marshall. 
’44,  William  Grover. 

’45, 

’46  to  ’50  inclusive,  none. 
’51,  Addison  Gott. 

’52,  Newell  Burnham. 

’53  and  ’54,  none. 

’55,  Benjamin  Parsons,  Jr. 
’56,  Samuel  York. 

’57,  Thomas  Hale. 

’58,  Wm.  W.  Marshall. 
’59,  Henry  T.  Lowe. 

’6o,  John  D.  Sanborn. 


1861,  Austin  W.  Story. 

’62,  Moses  Pool. 

’63,  Rev.  David  Bremner. 
’64,  Austin  W.  Story. 

’65,  Amos  Rowe,  Jr. 

’66,  Wm.  Caldwell. 

’67,  Benjamin  Hale. 

’68,  Moses  Pool. 

’69,  Ambrose  Hodgkins. 
’70,  William  Marchant. 
*71,  Rev.  George  Vibbert. 
’72,  James  W.  Bradley. 

* i<  a u 

y 

’74,  John  J.  Giles. 

*7 5,  Henry  Dennis,  Jr. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


285 


1876,  Henry  Dennis,  Jr., 

’77,  Wm.  Marchant. 

’78,  Jason  L.  Curtis. 

’79,  Amos  Rowe. 

’8o,  Wm.  H.  Sargent,  7th 
Ward,  Gloucester. 

’8 1,  Nath’l  Richardson,  Jr., 
’82,  Jason  L.  Curtis. 

’83,  Edward  H.  Shaw. 


1884,  George  Elwell. 

’85,  John  G.  Dennis. 

’86,  Rufus  McLellan,  7th 
Ward,  Gloucester. 

’87,  Theodore  L.  Pool. 

’88,  Henry  Friend,  2d  Ward 
Gloucester. 

’89,  W.  H.  Nichols,  Ward  2, 
Gloucester. 


James  Haskell  of  this  town  was  state  senator  from  Essex, 
5th  District,  which  comprised  Beverly,  Essex,  Gloucester, 
Ipswich,  Manchester,  Rowley,  and  Rockport,  in  1854. 

He  is  now'  living  at  Saccarappa,  Me. 

Newell  Giles  of  this  town  was  state  senator  from  the  5th 
Essex  District,  wThich  comprised  the  same  tow'ns  before  named, 
in  1872-73.  He  now  resides  at  Winthrop,  Mass. 

William  Whipple,  Esq.,  of  this  town,  wras  county  commis- 
sioner during  the  years  1841-42-43. 

Col.  William  Pool  of  this  towrn  w^as  special  county  commis- 
sioner during  the  years  1853-54-55. 


286 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


As  we  are  about  to  close  these  pages,  we  will  wait  a 
moment  and  take  a cursory  or  retrospective  view  of  the  past. 
It  is  now  nearly  two  hundred  years  (1690)  since  Richard  Tarr, 
his  wife  Elizabeth  and  their  two  sons,  William  and  John, 
came  to  this  most  easterly  extremity  of  Cape  Ann,  and  built 
their  log  cabin  just  in  the  rear  of  where  now  stands  the  Dea. 
Brooks’  House  on  Main  St.  There  were  born  to  these  par- 
ents after  they  located  here:  Elizabeth,  in  1691;  Honor,  in 
1693;  Richard,  1695;  Joseph,  1698;  Benjamin,  170c;  Caleb, 
1703;  Samuel,  1706;  Sarah,  1716.  When  Tarr  and  his  family 
settled  here,  this  part  of  the  Cape  was  almost  an  unbroken 
forest;  no  road,  scarcely  a foot  path.  Though  a settlement 
had  been  effected  at  another  part  of  the  Cape  nearly  sixty 
years  previous,  this  most  easterly  portion  had  hardly  been 
trod  by  human  feet.  Here  the  wild  beast  roamed  at  will 
and  the  songsters  of  the  forest  were  unmolested.  The  early 
visitors  to  this  part  of  the  coast  were  a few  fishermen,  who 
came  from  Chebacco  and  Ipswich  in  their  boats,  and  built 
their  rude  huts  at  Gully  Point,  or  Gap  Head,  and  here  plied 
their  vocation  during  the  summer  months.  Occasionally  a 
coaster  came  in  for  a cargo  of  wood  to  take  to  Boston,  or 
some  other  port.  The  Tarr  family  must  have  depended,  for 
their  sustenance,  upon  game,  the  products  of  Mr.  Tarr’s  gun, 
or  fish,  which  could  be  had  for  the  taking.  He  probably  was 
called  upon,  from  time  to  time,  to  assist  in  loading  some 
vessel  with  wood,  for  which  service  he  probably  received 
some  of  the  common  necessaries  of  life;  the  ship’s  crew  or 
Tarr  knew  little  about  the  luxuries. 

This  family  thus  lived  secluded,  as  it  were,  from  the  outside 
world,  not  a neighbor  within  five  miles,  for  ten  long  years ; 
when  came  John  Pool,  his  wife  Sarah  and  their  five  children, 
Jonathan  born  in  1694;  Miriam,  1695;  Robert,  i697;’Ebenezer, 
1699;  and  Joshua,  1700.  There  were  born  to  Pool  after  his 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


287 


arrival  here:  Caleb,  in  1701,  John,  1703.  By  his  last  wife, 
Abigail,  he  had  Return  born  in  1722  and  Abigail  in  1725. 
Pool  was  married  four  times  within  five  years;  his  last  wife 
was  Abigail  Ballard,  of  Lynn.  While  waiting  upon  her,  she 
discarded  him,  but  finally  relented,  and  bade  him  return. 
Therefore  the  unusual  Christian  name  Return,  and  from  this 
the  name  Turn’s  Orchard  is  derived.  Pool  located  in  the 
rear  of  the  residence  of  the  late  John  Haskins,  on  King  St. 
Within  ten  years  after  his  arrival,  he  had  built  a sloop  and 
engaged  in  shipping  timber  to  Boston,  which  was  used  in 
building  Long  wharf.  For  twenty-five  years  the  increase  of 
population,  by  immigration,  was  quite  gradual.  The  main 
business  was  fishing,  an  occasional  call  was  made  for  help  to 
assist  in  loading  some  coaster,  probably  others  were  employed 
in  chopping  wood  for  transportation;  comparatively  little  at- 
tention was  given  to  agriculture. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  settlement  of  this  village,  up  to 
nearly  the  year  1 800,  some  of  the  fishing  boats  were  wont  to 
go  to  Essex,  Ipswich  or  Rowley,  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  and 
bring  back  a cargo  of  salt  hay,  for  the  feeding  of  the  small 
number  of  cows  that  were  wintered  here.  It  was  fifty-three 
years  after  Richard  Tarr  came,  that  the  first  wharf  was  built 
of  timber,  a little  to  the  south-west  of  the  present  White  wharf. 
This  wharf,  so  far  as  we  know,  was  built  by  three  persons,  viz: 
Benjamin  Tarr,  Eben’r.  and  John  Pool.  Next  was  a wharf  west- 
erly of  this,  built  by  Eben’r.  Pool,  also  of  timber.  Not  until 
one  hundred  and  eleven  years  after  Richard  Tarr  settled 
here,  was  the  present  White  wharf  commenced.  The  timber 
wharf  had  become  dilapidated  and  was  taken  up.  The  Nor- 
wood family  built a wharf,  the  remains  of  which  are  seen  on  the 
southern  shore  of  Long  Cove,  about  this  time,  to  accommodate 
their  fishing  boats,  of  which  they  had  several.  During  these 
early  years,  fishing  was  carried  on  quite  extensively  by  boats 
from  eight  to  twenty  tons.  When  an  easterly  gale  was  immi- 
nent, they  were  obliged  to  leave  their  moorings  and  make  for 


288 


HISTOR  Y OF  ROCKPORT. 


Gloucester  or  Annisquam  harbor.  Quite  a business  was 
carried  on  in  the  early  years,  by  vessels  that  came  here  for 
wood.  Many  cargoes  have  been  shipped  from  the  loading 
rock  at  Allen’s  Head  and  other  landing  places  along  the  shore. 
In  1815  the  now  Hooper  & Son  lumber  wharf  was  built.  A 
little  later  Azor  Knowlton  built  a part  of  what  is  now  the  W. 
H.  Knowlton  wharf,  to  accommodate  his  fishing  boat.  Next 
was  the  Middle  wharf  in  the  old  dock  of  the  Pier  Co.  About 
the  year  1825  Capt.  Daniel  Wheeler  built  a wharf  on  the 
western  shore  of  Pigeon  Cove.  In  1832  an  incorporate  com- 
pany (Pigeon  Cove  Harbor)  commenced  to  build  a breakwater; 
a few  years  after  it  was  damaged  to  such  an  extent  that  the 
cost  of  repairs  was  about  $4000.  Since  then  it  has  been 
extended  to  the  ledge;  it  has  continued  permanent  and  safe, 
and  by  further  improvements,  wharf  extension  and  dredging 
during  these  later  years,  it  forms  a safe  and  convenient  harbor 
for  the  local  trade. 

In  1836,11.  S.  Government  commenced  to  build  a break- 
water at  the  entrance  of  Long  Cove,  for  which  work  $50,000 
had  been  appropriated;  that  and  an  additional  $20,000  was 
expended,  and  the  work  ceased.  The  Sandy  Bay  Pier  Co., 
at  a later  day,  erected  the  wharves  at  the  head  of  the  cove. 
The  several  small  harbors  that  have  been  named,  and  that  of 
the  Rockport  Granite  Co.,  that  has  been  in  process  of  con- 
struction more  than  fifty  years,  and  Pigeon  Hill  Granite  Co’s, 
breakwater  and  wharf,  of  a later  date,  constitute  the  harbor 
facilities  of  the  present  day. 

How  changed  is  the  appearance  of  the  shores  of  Sandy  Bay 
from  the  time  that  Richard  Tarr  and  John  Pool  first  looked 
upon  them;  and  how  still  greater  will  be  the  change  of  Sandy 
Bay  and  its  shores,  when  the  breakwater,  now  in  course  of 
construction,  by  the  General  Government,  shall  be  completed. 
Our  fathers  paid  comparatively  little  attention  to  agriculture 
or  horticulture  in  the  early  years,  but  there  was  a gradual 
improvement  until  about  1820,  when  these  industries  received 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


289 


much  greater  attention.  Swamps  and  rocky  pastures  were 
converted  into  fruitful  fields,  and  the  wilderness  was  made  to 
blossom  as  the  rose.  In  these  later  years  these  industries 
have  taken  new  life  and  new  methods,  whereby  the  products 
of  the  soil,  within  the  last  twenty  years,  have  more  than 
doubled.  Years  ago  farm  team  work  was  all  done  by  oxen, 
now  the  ox-team  upon  the  farm  is  among  the  things  of  the 
past;  it  proved  to  be  too  slow  for  this  active  generation.  The 
horse  team  is  considered  the  more  economical,  and  it  has 
supplanted  the  ox.  Up  to  1840  to  1850  the  leading  business 
of  the  town  was  fishing.  The  building  of  the  cotton  mill  in 
1847,  which  was  largely  done  by  home  capital,  and  then  a 
larger  class  of  vessels  being  needed,  in  order  to  successfully 
prosecute  the  fishing  business,  then  our  meagre  harbor 
facilities,  for  vessels  of  larger  draught,  for  these  and  other 
reasons  that  interest  began  to  decline. 

The  money  invested  in  the  cotton  mill,  for  a few  years  paid 
good  dividends,  but  soon  dividends  ceased,  and  finally  the  entire 
stock  was  wiped  out.  With  the  decline  of  fishing,  young  men 
sought  other  fields  of  industry,  and  other  homes,  so  that  now 
Rockport  has  representatives  in  most  of  the  states  of  the  Union. 
Our  citizens  have  been  quite  unfortunate  in  some  of  their 
business  enterprises.  A few  years  since  a company  was 
organized,  whose  object  it  was  to  manufacture  green  hide 
seating  for  chairs  and  other  purposes.  This  company  erected 
a building  which  was  well  appointed  for  a large  business;  it 
was  soon  found  that  it  was  not  remunerative,  and  soon  ceased 
to  be.  Then  a bobbin  factory  was  established  here,  which, 
after  being  in  operation  a short  time,  was  removed  to  Gardner, 
Mass.  About  fche-_year  1872  a company  was  organized  for 
the  business  of  manufacturing  organs;  it  continued  in  operation 
a few  years,  and  closed  business,  after  causing  quite  a loss  to 
the  proprietors.  The  Russia  Glue  Co.  established  itself  here, 
and  after  operating  awhile  was  obliged  to  remove  for  want  of 


290 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


better  and  larger  accommodation.  It  is  now  located  at  Glou- 
cester and  doing  a large  business. 

Thus,  while  the  people  were  striving  to  increase  the  business 
of  the  town,  disaster  followed  disaster ; but  there  yet  remains 
with  the  present  population,  a portion  of  the  pluck  and  energy 
of  the  fathers,  and  is,  after  a short  relapse,  coming  again  to  the 
front,  and  will,  in  the  near  future,  result  in  greater  activities 
and  enlarged  business  facilities.  We  often  wonder  as  we 
look  back  upon  what  our  fathers,  with  their  limited  means, 
accomplished,  and  can  but  admire  their  energy.  They  were 
industrious  and  patriotic,  did  their  part  well  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution  and  1812 — 15.  In  the  late  Civil  War  their  sons 
made  manifest  that  they  possessed  the  spirit  of  the  fathers. 

The  fathers  were  awake  to  the  interests  of  education.  In 
1797,  when  the  whole  valuation  of  the  village  was  less  than 
$50,000,  they  built  a school-house  at  a cost  of  $1,600,  and 
were  satisfied  with  nothing  less  than  a graduate  of  Harvard 
for  a teacher  of  their  children.  Neither  were  they  remiss  in 
establishing  and  maintaining  the  ordinance  of  religion;  to  their 
first  minister  they  paid  a salary  double  the  amount  of  their 
entire  town  and  province  tax.  When  they  built  the  second 
meeting  house,  in  1804,  the  first  having  become  dilapidated, 
they  did  it  at  a cost  of  $9000,  and  at  that  time  their  whole 
valuation  was  less  than  $100,000,  the  whole  church 
membership  was  but  twelve  persons,  and  they  well  advanced 
in  years. 

As  we  look  back  and  contemplate  the  past,  and  review  the 
works  and  deeds  of  the  fathers,  their  energy,  their  patriotism, 
their  interest  in  education,  and  what  they  did  to  establish  the 
ordinances  of  religion  and  the  worship  of  God,  it  may  be  that 
they  were  not  an  educated  or  religious  people,  in  the  common 
acceptance  of  these  terms,  but  were  there  not  religious  prin- 
ciples implanted  within  them,  and  did  they  not  look  forward 
for  the  best  and  highest  good  of  their  posterity?  An  unseen 
and  perhaps  an  unrecognized  spirit  may  have  moved  them  to 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


291 


act  so  nobly  for  the  cause  of  education  and  religion.  We  can 
but  admire  the  spirit  of  the  following  petition,  that  was 
presented  to  the  General  Court,  in  1738,  signed  by  Jabez 
Baker,  Benj.  Tarr  and  others  of  the  easterly  part  of  the  first 
parish  of  Gloucester,  (afterwards  incorporated  as  the  fifth 
parish,  Sandy  Bay.) 

The  petition  asked  that  the  General  Court  would  order  the 
first  parish  to  allow  a sum  of  money  from  their  parish  treas- 
ury, to  the  easterly  part  of  the  first  parish,  in  order  that  they 
may  support  preaching  the  winter  months.  They  then  say: 
“By  reason  of  the  great  mortality,  we  have  had  thirty-one  of 
our  pleasant  children  taken  from  us  by  death. — We  have 
reason  to  bless  God  for  sparing  so  many.  There  are  still 
living  one  hundred  and  forty  persons.”  At  this  time  there 
were  twenty-seven  families,  two  of  which,  those  of  Caleb  and 
Jonathan  Pool,  lost  three  children,  each. 


The  industries  of  Rockport  at  the  present  time  are 

Quarrying  and  Dressing  Granite. 

Manufacture  of  Isinglass. 

Agriculture  and  Horticulture. 

Manufacture  of  Oil  Clothing  and  Patent  Rubber  Oil  Goods. 

Manufacture  of  steel  tools  for  the  working  of  stone  in  all  its 
departments. 

Fishing  to  some  considerable  extent. 

There  are  also  other  industries  of  a greater  or  less  amount. 

We  have  full  assurance  that  within  a few  months  a shoe 
manufactory  will  be  in  operation,  giving  employment  to  some 
two  hundred  persons. 


292 


HISTORY  OF  ROCKPORT. 


Fellow  Citizens: — After  what  may  seem  to  you  a long,  but 
to  us  an  unavoidable  delay,  we  are  enabled  to  lay  before  you 
these  pages.  You  will  peruse  them  with  special  interest. 
Undoubtedly  you  will  notice  errors,  but  we  feel  sure  that  you 
will  not  notice  more  of  them  than  ourselves,  and  then  we  know 
that  you  will  throw  over  them  a mantle  of  charity,  especially 
as  it  comes  to  your  minds  by  whom  these  pages  were  com- 
piled. 

It  is  with  deep  feelings  of  regret  that  we  have  not  been  able 
to  give  you  better  work,  but  we  derive  a certain  satisfaction, 
and  we  trust  that  you  also  will,  as  we  realize,  however  imper- 
fect these  pages,  they  will  save  from  oblivion  much  that  will 
be  useful  to  the  future  historian,  as  they,  or  a portion  of  them, 
shall  be  wrought  into  a future  and  more  elaborate  history  of 
our  pleasant  town  by  the  sea. 

Rockport,  May,  1889. 


INDEX. 


Page 

Preface 3 

Correspondence 4 

Centennial  Committee 8 

Programme  Centennial  Celebration 9 

Centennial  Hymn 10 

Centennial  Address 13 

Chapter  i.  Residents  of  Sandy  Bay  1690  to  1755.  . . . 89 

Roll  of  Capt.  Rowe’s  Co.  at  Bunker  Hill.  ...  90 

John  Rowe’s  Commission  as  Captain 91 

John  Rowe’s  Commission  as  Captain  at 

Bunker  Hill 92 

Chap.  ii.  Rockport  National  Bank 94 

Rockport  Savings  Bank 95 

Granite  Savings  Bank 96 

Celebration  of  Fourth  of  July,  1854 97 

Chap.  nr.  Temperance  Reform 105 

Women’s  Raid ill 

Chap.  iv.  History  of  the  Public  Schools 120 

Chap.  v.  Re-interment  of  the  Remains  of  Rev.  David 

Jewett 129 

Ecclesiastical  History 138 

First  Congregational  Society 138 

Baptist  Church 143 

First  Universalist  Society 146 

Methodist  Episcopal  Society 148 

Second  Congregational  Society 151 

Ordination  of  Walter  Harris  Giles.. 154 

Catholic  Church 15  5 

First  Church  of  Christ 156 

Second  Universalist  Society 159 


294 


INDEX. 


Page 

Protestant  Episcopal  Church 160 

Women’s  Work 161 

Chap.  vi.  Anthracite  Coal 162 

Telegraphic  Communication “ 

Ice  Business “ 

Almshouse 163 

Death  of  Three  Citizens  Abroad 164 

Fire  Department 165 

Baptist  and  Dock  Squares 168 

Great  Gale 169 

Great  Snow  Storm 170 

Beech  Grove  Cemetery 1 71 

Locust  Grove  Cemetery 172 

Bombshell  in  Church 173 

Rockport  Railroad “ 

Chap.  vii.  Civil  War 181 

Death  of  Otis  Wing  Wallace 183 

Burial  of  Lieut.  George  W.  Tufts 184 

17th  Regiment 187 

Roll  of  Muster  and  Discharge  of  Soldiers. . . 187 

Return  of  36  Members  of  Co.  B,  50th  Reg’t.  21 1 

Surrender  of  Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee 212 

Assassination  of  President  Lincoln 

Chap.  viii.  Heavy  Gale  and  Loss  of  Life 214 

Destruction  of  Pemberton  Mills 218 

Drowning  of  two  Young  Men “ 

Manufacture  of  Isinglass “ 

Injuries  Sustained  by  Defective  Highways. . 219 

Donation  to  the  Town  by  David  Kimball. . . 220 

Young  Men’s  Christian  Association 222 

Chap.  ix.  New  Town  Hall 223 

Town  Library “ 

Murder  of  Gilman 225 

Disabled  and  Dead  Seamen 227 

Landing  of  the  Commercial  Cable 229 


INDEX. 


295 


Page 

Chap.  x.  Commencement  and  Progress  of  the  Granite 

Industry 237 

Rockport  Gleaner 245 

Rockport  Review “ 

Thatcher’s  and  Straitsmouth  Islands 246 

Harbor  of  Refuge “ 

Buildings  Burned  and  Damaged  by  Fire. 248 

The  Sea-Serpent 251 

Chap.  xi.  Donation  of  a Clock,  by  John  G.  Dennis,  Esq.  256 

Highways  and  Town  Ways 258 

Re-interment  of  the  Remains  of  John  Pool 

and  his  Wives 262 

Purchase  of  a Hearse “ 

Taverns  and  Hotels 263 

Casualties 265 

Death  oi  Dr.  Barden 267 

Death  of  Dr.  Haskell “ 

Death  of  Dr.  Lemuel  Gott 268 

Deceased  Clergymen 269 

Death  of  Ebenezer  Pool 270 

Death  of  Another  Aged  Citizen 271 

Secret  and  Benevolent  Societies 272 

Selectmen  of  Gloucester  from  Sandy  Bay. . . 277 

Representatives  from  Sandy  Bay  to  the 

General  Court 278 

Rockport’s  First  Town  Meeting. 279 

Selectmen  of  Rockport 280 

Town  Clerks 282 

TownrTreasurers “ 

School  Committees.  . “ 

Representatives  from  Rockport  to  the  Gen- 
eral Court 284 

Chap.  xii.  Retrospection 286 

The  Industries  of  Rockport 291 

Closing  Words 292 


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